The theme of the 17th instalment of the Servier for Heart prevention and education campaign is to build public awareness around the dangers of angina pectoris (known as angina pectoris), a serious cardiovascular condition that is a direct result of ischaemic heart disease. It is estimated that up to 30 per cent of people with ischaemic heart disease may suffer from angina and, in many cases, its symptoms can presage the onset of a heart attack.
"Typical of angina, the discomfort caused by myocardial ischaemia is usually located in the middle of the chest, near the sternum, but can also be felt in the epigastrium, jaw and teeth area, between the shoulder blades; sometimes radiating to the upper limbs, up to the wrist and fingers. This discomfort - angina pain - is often described as pressure, squeezing, clenching or heaviness, and sometimes as a throbbing, girdling or burning sensation, often accompanied by severe anxiety. It may also be reported as dyspnoea, breathlessness. Usually the pain lasts a few to several minutes and subsides spontaneously or with the administration of appropriate pharmacological agents." - explains Prof. Dr. Jarosław D. Kasprzak from the Department of Cardiology at the Medical University of Łódź
According to expert estimates, each year in Europe between 2 and 4 people per 1,000 inhabitants develop angina and between 20 and 40 people per 1,000 inhabitants become ill. In Poland, about 1.5 million people may suffer from angina. Women over 50 and men over 40 are particularly at risk. According to expert estimates, people affected by angina suffer a deterioration in their quality of life, a 3-fold increase in the risk of disability, a 1.5-fold risk of job loss and a 4-fold risk of depression.
"Cardiovascular diseases are categorised as diseases of civilisation, which are becoming an increasingly common cause of death. The symptoms of angina should not be underestimated. If you have any suspicions, you should visit your doctor immediately. Early recognition and correct diagnosis make it possible to reduce the severity of symptoms, and pharmacological treatment significantly improves patients' quality of life and reduces the risk of death. Lifestyle changes, including the introduction of a habit of regular exercise, are also essential." - highlights Professor Piotr Jankowski, MD, from the Institute of Cardiology at the Jagiellonian University's Collegium Medicum in Krakow.
VOTE YOUR HEART OUT!
This year's edition of the "Servier for Heart" prevention and education campaign runs under the slogan "Vote for your heart!" and follows the convention of the election campaign a fictitious candidate, Bolesław Dławicki, who is running his campaign with great commitment and dedication, based on slogans referring to the most important principles of cardiovascular disease prevention.
THE CHOKE-BUS SETS OFF FOR POLAND
Bolesław Dławicki's election campaign is sweeping across Poland, helped by a specially equipped truck - the Servier Mobile Cardiology Clinic. As part of this year's campaign, residents of 13 cities will be able to take part in free examinations including: determination of body mass index (BMI), measurement of blood pressure, blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels with fractions (the so-called full lipidogram). In cases justified by the results, doctors present at the Servier Mobile Clinic will carry out cardiology consultations and extended specialist diagnostics, i.e. ECG and, in selected cities, ECHO of the heart. examinations will be accompanied by Servier Educational Tentwhich is a place where you can receive educational materials to help you gain or expand your knowledge on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and this year in particular on the topic of angina pectoris. In addition, visitors to the Servier Education Tent will be treated to the 'Heart Choices' field game, allowing them to see if the choices they make every day are in line with their heart's needs. In the tent, there will also be the opportunity to listen to and watch election spots featuring the candidate and a special edition of the Servier for Heart News service entirely dedicated to the issue of angina and the demands of Bolesław Dławicki.
The dates and exact locations of the Servier Mobile Cardiology Clinic can be found at www.dbajoserce.pl