[ad_1]
2019 Report on Heart Disease Calls for Urgent Changes to End Useless Suffering
TORONTO, February 7, 2019 / CNW / – Heart & Stroke's groundbreaking report reveals much deeper links between heart problems, stroke and vascular cognitive disorders1 that we had understood before. An initial badysis of hospitalizations over the past decade has shown that people with suspected vascular disease were at a much higher risk of developing – or already having – multiple vascular conditions that could lead to readmissions and death. . And the trend is clearly on the rise.
All roads can lead to dementia
"The most surprising finding is that people with heart disease have a significantly increased risk of vascular cognitive impairment and possibly dementia, because of their underlying vascular disease," said Yves Savoie, Chief of Heart Disease. "Vascular diseases are even more interconnected than we knew, which means a more serious and scary problem for most people Canada 90% live with a risk of cardiovascular disease ".
Some statistics in the report tell this surprising story:
- People with heart failure are 2.6 times more likely to have vascular cognitive impairment
- Conbad heart disease can triple the risk of early vascular cognitive impairment (under 65) and increase the risk of late vascular cognitive impairment by 30%.
- People with atrial fibrillation are 1.4 times more likely to suffer from vascular cognitive disorders
- People with heart valves have an increased risk of vascular cognitive impairment of 25%.
- 30% of people who have a second stroke are at risk for developing vascular cognitive impairment
For his report, (De) Connected: Invisible links put us at riskHeart & Stroke reviewed published studies and identified badociations between heart problems, stroke, and vascular cognitive disorders. He conducted a comprehensive badysis of hospitalizations for these conditions in Canada between 2007 and 2017. This badysis of hospitalizations and related readmissions, conducted for the first time, shows that conditions are so deeply linked that people who were previously considered to be suffering from a single disease are likely to develop multiple conditions, many without knowing it.
The research also uncovered gaps in the health system, designed around a "single disease" model. For people with multiple diseases, these deficiencies have led to delays in diagnosis or intervention, which can potentially make these diseases more serious.
"These invisible links between vascular conditions have caused unnecessary suffering for hundreds of thousands of people in Canada. People are overwhelmed and the health system is overloaded. This is not sustainable and it will only worsen as the population ages and the disease continues to appear earlier in the life of the population, "added Mr. Savoie.
The numbers are staggering
Between 2007 and 2017, 2.6 million hospitalizations Canada involved people with at least one heart problem, stroke, or vascular cognitive impairment. Forty percent of these people were readmitted one or more times for a new related illness. These related diseases could have been avoided or less serious with lifestyle changes or earlier medical treatment. Instead, many have evolved into serious illnesses and medical emergencies. The impact on women is even worse than for men.
In fact, Heart & Stroke's research shows that a person dies in Canada every five minutes against heart disease, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment. It goes beyond other diseases; 13% more people die from heart disease, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment than all forms of cancer combined.
The study has global implications. "We know what the common risk factors are and what needs to be done." Millions of deaths and many disabilities [worldwide] could be avoided in the next decade if we applied what we already know, "says Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, neurologist and stroke expert and dementia at Ontario.
The solution requires a system change
The heart and brain are connected by the vascular system, but not the health system. We must begin by raising awareness of the links between these conditions, including the public and those working in the health system. Part of the solution will involve the design of the health system. Even with one condition, patients and their families must navigate a complex network of health-related services. For people with multiple diseases, the silo approach to care is particularly difficult. Once cognitive impairment is added to the mix, the challenge can be overwhelming.
"You must be your own lawyer, 100%," says Sarah Lansdownwho had two strokes and had to defend herself throughout her diagnosis, treatment and recovery. "If I did not have money, resources, education, language skills and willpower, I would never have gone anywhere.I am afraid that others do not have the support and resources they need. "
"We use the term navigation, but we could do better to help patients and providers help them find their way," says Dr. Sharon Mulvagh, cardiologist at New Scotland. "Patients need clearly defined expectations and indications about the next steps: who will do what, what do they expect, what will they possibly experiment with, and who should have a record of this information.Physicians, nurses and other health professionals team members want to provide the best comprehensive and interdisciplinary care, but it can be very difficult to do without adequate resources and communication. "
"What is needed is a streamlined and integrated system, applying a holistic approach to meeting the needs of patients and simplifying their experience through diagnosis, treatment, secondary prevention, as well as continuing care or recovery ", stated Patrice Lindsay, Director of Heart & Stroke's System Change and Stroke Program.
What Canadians can do
- If you have heart disease, stroke, or vascular cognitive impairment, make sure your doctor is looking for other related conditions. You should be monitored for other potential conditions that might develop.
- Find tips and questions to talk to your healthcare professional.
- Recognize that prevention has never been so important. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting and increasing physical activity, not only help heart problems, stroke or vascular cognitive disorders, they help all three people and more.
- Find information on healthy lifestyle changes.
What the heart does
One of the main roles of Heart & Stroke is to be a catalyst for change. He is calling on health care providers and systems managers to join with him to take action.
- Increase public awareness and understanding of the health professionals who work with people with these conditions.
- Invest renewed energy around prevention programs – promote, promote and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Prevention is more important than ever. if you prevent a vascular condition, you help prevent others.
- Create a streamlined, patient-centered health system model that works effectively with people with multiple vascular diseases.
- Continue to provide support and advice to people living with heart problems, strokes and vascular cognitive disorders.
- Continue to fund research to deepen our understanding of the complexity of the vascular system and the links between its conditions.
About the heart
Life. We do not want you to miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke leads the fight against heart disease and stroke We must generate the next medical breakthroughs so that people Canada do not miss precious moments. Together, we work to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy. www.heartandstroke.ca
|
_____________________________ |
|
1 Cognitive vascular impairment is a cognitive decline caused by abnormalities in the small blood vessels of the brain. Gravity can range from mild problems of concentration and reflection to dementia, the most serious form. |
SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation
[ad_2]
Source link
