Tips To Avoid Heart Failure In The Midst Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

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JAKARTA - Among a number of efforts you can do to prevent heart failure is to avoid being lazy to move. This was conveyed by a cardiologist.

"Start actively moving and not being lazy to move (mager). The COVID-19 pandemic is not a barrier for you to do physical activity, it can be done indoors or outdoors while implementing good health protocols," said cardiologist dr. . Siti Elkana Nauli was reported by Antara, Saturday, January 29.

In addition, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and controlling underlying diseases such as hypertension and diabetes remain under control are equally important to control your risk of heart failure.

According to Siti, patients who already have underlying diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, or diabetes, must not only achieve a stable condition but also maintain it.

Especially in those with diabetes, damage to the micro and macro vascular organs must be recognized quickly so that doctors can provide optimal treatment and endless worsening.

Heart failure is not a milder condition than cancer with a three-fold higher death rate from heart failure. In Indonesia, based on data from 2130 patients from 11 cardiac service centers, especially on the islands of Sumatra and Java, it is estimated that the prevalence of heart failure patients is close to five percent, or above Singapore and Malaysia which is at 4.5 percent.

This figure is no different from the results of a study entitled "Heart failure across Asia: Same healthcare burden but differences in organization of care" published in the International Journal of Cardiology. The study also revealed that the number of people with heart failure in Indonesia is 5 percent of the total population.

In men and women there is little difference in the causes of heart failure. In women, hypertension and diabetes are the main causes of heart failure. While in men, mainly due to the contribution of coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension and diabetes.

"For women, this category of coronary heart disease is not widely found. Usually, the mortality rate tends to be much higher because they usually just come for treatment in a more severe condition," said Siti. heart so as not to experience heart failure.

Then tertiary prevention, namely prevention in patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure, do not let it get worse so that complications arise.

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Cardiovascular Specialists (PP PERKI), dr. Isman Firdaus, also reminded people to consult a doctor about the proper management of heart failure risk factors.

It is also important to check your heart health early on, especially if you have chest pain, palpitations, easy fatigue, swollen legs or shortness of breath. The heart and blood vessel specialist or cardiologist will perform an initial non-invasive cardiac examination such as echocardiography, Holter or treadmill test.