Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Cardiology Department Specialist Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi noted that cardiovascular diseases, which are among the most common causes of death in the world, do not always cause major complaints in patients or their findings are not usually interpreted as heart disease at first, but the patient's life can be saved with early diagnosis by determining the risks in patients who receive regular check-ups.
Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi: "We recommend a heart check-up once a year after the age of 40."
Stating that one of the most common causes of death in the world is cardiovascular disease, Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi explained that fighting coronary artery diseases and the risk factors that cause them increases both the lifespan and the quality of the patients.
“Individuals should have regular cardiology check-ups despite not having any complaints; in particular, those who have a family history of deaths caused by heart diseases at an early age (under the age of 50) or sudden losses of family members of unknown origin, regardless of their age, should have a heart-related check-up." Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi said that by doing this, we can also get answers to the questions of whether there is another cardiovascular disease present, whether there is congenital heart disease that may lead to sudden death, high cholesterol in the family or whether there is a tendency to form intravascular clots.
Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi said that people with normal test results should have similar check-up examinations every 5 years until the age of 40, and after the age of 40, those who have a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, have heart disease in their immediate families, smokers, blood pressure and high cholesterol should have a check-up once a year. She added that people with diabetes should have a check-up once a year.
Examinations Included in Heart Check-Ups
Stating that the check-up packages vary according to the characteristics and age of the person, Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi noted that during check-up scans, blood tests for the development of cardiovascular disease and the possibility of clot formation in the veins, the structure of the heart, enlargement in the heart cavities and cardiac performance, heart valves, wall thickness, pericardium and large vessels from the heart are included.
“Effort tests are performed to detect ECG changes caused by the inability of the heart vessels to give the necessary support to the increase in oxygen demand in the heart during effort by temporarily increasing the stress load of the heart. By doing this, it is determined whether the person needs an angiography and vascular opening with a stent and / or a balloon, which is the next step of the treatment. “said Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi, while also noting that multiple vascular diseases that would require bypass surgeries can be detected thanks to angiography, and stated that the 24-hour rhythm Holter examination would be a good guide for any indications, immediately after the first electrocardiographic evaluation in order to determine the problems and rhythm disorders that may occur in the heart signalling system.
Exp. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi: "The Most Common Cause of Sudden Deaths is Structural Changes in the Heart, Especially at a Young Age."
Explaining that people do not always feel any complaints in cardiovascular diseases, which is one of the most threatening problems for public health, and complaints experienced are sometimes not interpreted as a sign of heart disease by either the person or the doctors. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi stated that the risk of heart diseases can be determined in advance in patients who have check-ups in such cases and that the patient's life can be saved thanks to early diagnosis.
Stating that structural changes in the heart are the most common cause of sudden deaths, especially at a young age, Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi also added that diseases such as congenital thickening on the left side that affect the right side of the heart may be lethal to rhythmic disturbances, especially in people who perform physical activities or do sports. Spec. Dr. Elif İjlal Çekirdekçi said: “An echocardiography and cardiac ultrasound study that takes 30-45 minutes and does not induce pain or risk can reveal such a disease. Cardiologist evaluation and blood tests, which reveal the risk of that the individual will develop cardiovascular disease, can prolong people's lives and protect them from risks as it allows the individual to take precautions in time.”