The specialized hospitals of the Bulgarian Cardiac Institute in Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen and Yambol mark the World Heart Day with an appeal for prevention and free consultations

Every year on the 29th of September  the world celebrates the International Heart Day. In connection with this the experts reminded us that according to the “black statistics” every third death in our country is a result of cardiovascular disease, although 80% of the cardiac problems are preventable if detected on time.

“Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease are considered to be the largest non-infectious epidemic diseases of our time, in a word – they are the biggest killer of the 21st century,” said the national consultant in Cardiology Assoc. Prof. Ivo Petrov, MD.

“The high level of lipids in the blood is a major risk factor in the early development of cardiovascular disease. The lipids that circulate in our blood come mainly from two sources. One depends on how a person eats and the second, which is even more dangerous, is genetically determined – these are the lipids that our own organism has synthesized. A lot of people have this kind of family history, but it may be less or more risky, depending on the case. In such people the developing of cardiovascular diseases is not potential, it is the rule.

In order to determine whether we are genetically endangered or not it suffices that we know the history of the disease and the cause of the fatal end in our parents or their parents. We, cardiologists, constantly insist on mass screening which should follow simple clinical criteria and laboratory tests. The verification through the lipid profile is widely available throughout the country. But any changes in the electrocardiogram and the echocardiogram should be monitored as well, which, however, are carried out during the second stage. And mainly in people who have cases of early signs of atherosclerosis in their family – either a stroke or myocardial infarction. This is the target group of the Bulgarians who definitely have to be tested, in order to determine if they have a hereditary predisposition to these diseases or not. ”

This year the hospitals of the Bulgarian Cardiac Institute – the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Cardiology in Varna, the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Cardiology in Veliko Turnovo, the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Cardiology in Yambol, and the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Cardiology in Madara – Shumen are joining together in the celebration of the World Heart Day by offering free examinations, taking blood pressure and providing individual consultations.