Speaking at the 2024 Scientific Conference at the Postal Hospital on October 12, MSc. Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Cardiovascular Intervention Unit at the Emergency Department of the Postal Hospital (Hanoi), shared that in Vietnam, over 200,000 people die each year from cardiovascular diseases.

This accounts for 33% of total deaths, surpassing cancer-related deaths, which stand at around 115,000 annually. Among the various cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease and strokes are the leading causes of death and disability.

Dr. Dung emphasized that heart disease is increasingly affecting younger individuals. In the past, most emergency cases involved elderly patients, and it was rare to see patients under 40. Today, the number of younger patients requiring cardiovascular intervention has risen sharply. Many of these patients suffer from severe complications, with some even resulting in death.

Dr. Dung shared a case involving the youngest patient treated at the Postal Hospital—a 31-year-old man suffering from acute myocardial infarction. This dangerous condition has a mortality rate of over 70%. It can strike suddenly, whether a person is asleep, working, or playing, and is increasingly affecting younger individuals.

According to Dr. Dung, unhealthy lifestyle choices are the main contributors to this alarming trend, including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and late-night activities. Additionally, life stress and pressure exacerbate these conditions. Many people in the community remain indifferent to cardiovascular diseases, believing that they are immune to such issues. As a result, many young patients come in with significantly high blood pressure but have never sought treatment before.

To reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Dung stressed the importance of early detection and consistent treatment. For example, individuals with high blood pressure should regularly monitor and manage their blood pressure from the pre-hypertension stage when readings range between 130-140 mmHg.

Annual health check-ups are also crucial for early detection, focusing on lipid levels, blood pressure, and metabolic disorders.

Those with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or lipid metabolism disorders are particularly susceptible to serious cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction and strokes.

To minimize the risk of heart disease, Dr. Dung recommended that the public adopt a healthy diet, avoid consuming animal fat, skin, liver, and fast food, engage in regular physical exercise, and limit alcohol and stimulant use.

If individuals experience symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, they should visit a healthcare facility with a cardiology department for timely consultation and treatment.

PV