San José, Costa Rica. Abril, 2016.

80% of sudden deaths not related with accidents, and the number 1 cause of deaths in Costa Rica (even more than cancer) have a common factor: a heart that stops beating suddenly, although maybe it has signaled that its vital energy was dwindling.

Cardiac diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, take away loved ones regardless of age, because even the youngest (if they smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs) can suffer a heart attack.

As Juliana Salas Segura, a cardiologist at Clinica Biblica Hospital, explains, ischemic heart disease is “the disease caused by arteriosclerosis of the coronary arteries, that is, the arteries in charge of providing blood to the cardiac muscle are blocked.”

But, what causes the heart to be left isolated until it stops working and which are the symptoms?

• A pain on the left-hand side of the chest: red alert
• An oppressive chest pain that irradiates to the jaw from the left arm while doing physical activities, and that diminishes when the person stops: this is the main symptom of ischemic heart disease.

As Dr. Salas explains, “this symptom does not necessarily indicate that the person is suffering a heart attack, although it is an early warning,” so that it is important to consult the physician. This is so especially, if you have a background of direct relatives (such as parents) who have suffered heart attacks before 45 years of age and if you are a man (ischemic heart disease is more frequent in men).

In addition, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, sedentarism, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity are factors that trigger the disease.

The good news is that they are all controllable and, as Doctor Salas specifies, “where there is arteriosclerosis, ischemic heart disease is not necessarily present. There are studies that show that with optimized medical treatment, exercise and diet the level of the disease can be reverted.”

Healthy habits, healthy heart

In order to prevent the disease and revert its seriousness, the formula is well known. However, to refresh our memory, Doctor Salas quotes these two main commandments to have a healthy heart:

• Follow a balanced diet low in fat, high in proteins and fibers, with little sodium and sugars. Thus, the accumulation of cholesterol is avoided and a good control of glycemia and blood pressure is achieved.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. This reduces the incidence of heart attacks and helps control obesity.

In order to obtain further information or request an appointment in any of the medical specialties, please contact the private hospital Clínica Bíblica at telephone number 2522-1000, by email at citas@clinicabiblica.com or via chat at the website: www.clinicabiblica.com