September 29, 2023 – World Heart Day
In our lives, it is impossible to do without taking care of our hearts. The heart, one of the most important human organs, which pumps blood throughout our bodies 24 hours a day without stopping for a second and sustains life in the human body, is dedicated an international holiday – World Heart Day, celebrated annually on September 29. It was first organized in 1999 on the initiative of the World Heart Federation. This campaign was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and other significant organizations.
World Heart Day is a global health campaign aimed at raising public awareness of the dangers posed by the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, as well as initiating comprehensive preventive measures against ischemic heart disease and stroke in all population groups.
Diseases of the circulatory system account for more than half of all deaths from non-communicable diseases, meaning that heart attack and stroke can confidently be designated as the "number one killers" among diseases on the planet.
Cardiologists worldwide urge everyone to value their heart, take care of it, and not undermine its function with bad habits. World Heart Day is intended to remind us that the prevention of heart and vascular diseases is possible and necessary at both the population and individual levels.
How can each of us help ourselves today? Through simple preventive measures, every person can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in themselves and their loved ones. To do this, it is necessary to:
1. Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity four to five times a week. It is important to remember that the level of activity can vary for each person.
2. Eat a healthy diet:
- Include 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day in your diet (1 serving is approximately one apple or one orange);
- Limit salt intake to five grams per day (one teaspoon). Consider that sodium chloride is present in almost all the food we consume;
- It is necessary to control portion sizes as well. Even children should eat properly. Overeating is a risk factor for heart disease.
3. Smoking must be completely eliminated. Whether active or passive, in either of these two cases, significant harm is done to the body.
4. Everyone should know their blood pressure level! It largely determines the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you should consult a doctor!
5. Your cholesterol and blood glucose levels should be monitored annually starting from the age of thirty-five. However, if there is a family history of cardiovascular diseases, it is recommended to undergo checks starting from the age of twenty.
By following these simple recommendations, the risk of developing heart disease can be reduced by tens of times, and premature death from CVD – by 80 percent.
Cardiological medical care is provided at the State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Cardiology Center" (hereinafter referred to as the Center), which is the leading institution of the cardiological service in the Vitebsk region with a bed capacity of 222 beds. The Center's structure includes: Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Department – 12 beds; First Cardiology Department – 40 beds; Second Cardiology (Interventional Cardiology) Department – 40 beds; Cardiology Department for Heart Rhythm and Conduction Disorders – 40 beds; Angiography Room, Department of Functional and Ultrasound Diagnostics, Clinical Diagnostic and Regional Hemostasiology Laboratories, X-ray Room, and Organizational and Methodological Department with a Monitoring Center.
The Center provides emergency and planned highly qualified, specialized, and high-tech cardiological care to the population of the region and the city of Vitebsk in inpatient and outpatient settings, including examination, treatment, and rehabilitation.
In the "Zheleznyaki" Republican Rehabilitation Center branch, two departments are organized: Early Medical Rehabilitation with 50 beds, including 3 intensive care unit beds, and Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation with 40 beds.
A total of 398 people work at the institution, including 66 doctors and 150 specialists with secondary vocational medical education. The Center's specialists are well-trained, promising doctors and nurses.
Outpatient polyclinic care is provided to patients at the Cardiology Dispensary Department. The department includes cardiology offices, a prevention office, an office for patients with heart rhythm and conduction disorders, and a day hospital. Cardiologists at the department provide consultative cardiological care to patients in the Vitebsk region with the most complex and severe forms of circulatory system diseases.
The organization of the Arrhythmia and Conduction Disorders Department has significantly optimized the accessibility and quality of arrhythmological care for the population, ensuring its comprehensiveness.
The Angiography Room (hereinafter referred to as AR) of the Cardiology Center is one of the regional centers for X-ray endovascular surgery. It provides high-tech X-ray endovascular care for acute coronary syndrome, heart rhythm and conduction disorders in the angiography room, performs coronary angiography, shintography, peripheral and visceral angiographies, aortography, stenting of coronary, renal, and peripheral vessels, and implantation of pacemakers.
The volume, scope, and quality of interventions performed are growing year by year.
In the Medical Rehabilitation Departments of the "Zheleznyaki" RC branch, inpatient rehabilitation (early and repeated) is provided for patients from the region who have undergone acute myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, and X-ray endovascular interventions. The departments are equipped with modern rehabilitation equipment, medications, and consumables. Advanced rehabilitation methods are used in patient treatment.
The Department of Functional and Ultrasound Diagnostics is equipped with modern equipment. The department is staffed by highly qualified specialists. Physicians performing echocardiography are deservedly considered among the best. In 2022, the department was further equipped with 4 high-class ultrasound diagnostic devices, which significantly increased the volume and quality of ultrasound examinations.
Within the structure of the Functional Diagnostics Department, there is a Pacemaker Monitoring and Programming Office, which serves patients with implanted pacemakers.
The Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory performs a full range of laboratory examinations for patients with circulatory system diseases.
As part of World Heart Day on September 29, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Cardiology Center" in conjunction with students of the "Vitebsk State Medical College named after I.P. Antonov" invites residents and guests of Vitebsk city and Vitebsk region to participate in the "World Heart Day" campaign.
As part of the event, there will be an opportunity to measure blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygenation, blood glucose levels, take an electrocardiogram, measure height and weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Participants will be able to take part in a survey aimed at early detection of cardiovascular disease risk. An exhibition of informational and educational materials, as well as a demonstration of video materials, will be held.
Participants can receive a consultation from a cardiologist by prior appointment by phone (64-31-46).
Cardiologist (Head)
of the dispensary cardiology department of UZ .V. Selezneva