Dr. Bureković: Prevention of cardiovascular diseases should start in childhood

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Along with high blood pressure, high blood lipids, obesity, insufficient physical activity, smoking, and genetic predispositions, diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors for the development of heart disease, according to large global studies.

The duration of diabetes itself and poor diabetes regulation certainly contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, says Prof. Dr. Azra Bureković from the Association of Endocrinologists and Diabetologists in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Studies have shown that people with diabetes, even if treated, but with poorly regulated blood sugar, suffer from heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases much more frequently. For diabetics with a 'long history of diabetes', due to damage to the nerves of blood vessels and heart muscles, the occurrence of a 'silent heart attack' is characteristic, which does not involve classic chest pain or shortness of breath. Only later ECG or heart ultrasound examinations reveal a scar on the heart, and the patient did not experience classic heart attack symptoms, nor were they hospitalized – says Dr. Bureković.

According to Dr. Bureković, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases should begin in childhood and early youth with a healthy lifestyle (dietary intake with restriction of fats and concentrated carbohydrates, sweets, and physical activity).

In young and middle adulthood, preventive check-ups should be performed, blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids should be monitored, and the aforementioned risk factors should be detected and treated early.

She believes that patients, as well as the general population, are not sufficiently informed about diabetes as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

“They are especially not sufficiently informed about prediabetes, as a risk factor and the need for treatment. In addition to insufficient information, we also lack a developed awareness of preventive healthcare, let alone developed programs and projects for early screening and treatment of prediabetes, diabetes, and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.”

Diabetes is on the rise globally and in our country

For several years, experts worldwide have been warning that diabetes is considered a disease of pandemic proportions. The World Health Organization and the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) estimated that in 2016, about 13% of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina had diabetes.

The percentage, says Bureković, increases with age.

“If we say that there is approximately the same percentage of prediabetes (those who do not yet know they are ill), then it is a large number. If we know that at least half of those who are aware of their diabetes are not treated, and half of those who are treated are not well regulated, then the number of people at risk for cardiovascular diseases increases significantly. Statistics vary for different countries, depending on economic opportunities, education, information, preventive programs, and early disease screening. In Europe, on average, about 8 out of 100 people have diabetes.”

How to recognize and prevent cardiovascular complications

Certainly, lifestyle changes (a diabetic diet divided into several smaller meals with physical activity appropriate for age, fitness, and other illnesses), weight loss, quitting smoking, abstaining from alcohol, and avoiding stress are the first steps in treating diabetes. Regular medication intake, regular blood sugar monitoring, regular doctor visits, regulated blood pressure, and regulated blood lipids can certainly delay the onset of late complications, especially cardiovascular diseases, believes Dr. Bureković.

She notes that rapid fatigue during strenuous physical activity, fatigue when climbing stairs, and rapid fatigue when walking on level ground can be the first symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Bureković advises that the best path to health is a healthy lifestyle without stress, with plenty of movement and regular medical check-ups. She recommends periodic blood sugar checks for individuals over 40 years of age.

This article was published as part of the project 'Knowledge for Health' implemented by the Association for Social Development Kap with the support of Novo Nordisk Pharma, aiming to raise awareness among people with diabetes about the importance of preventing cardiovascular diseases.