Cardiac Prevention Program
The new trend in modern medicine focuses on preventing the onset of diseases rather than treating them after they appear. This approach involves detecting and eliminating early signs of potential diseases, managing symptoms through lower-dose medications, and promoting lifestyle changes. Furthermore, these programs aim to prevent recurrences or minimize the damage caused by previous health issues. (These are referred to as primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in medical terminology.)
Who is at High Risk for Coronary Artery Disease?
Individuals with a family history of coronary artery disease or vascular stenosis are at high risk. Specifically, those with a mother or sister diagnosed with these conditions before the age of 55, or a father, brother, or grandfather diagnosed before the age of 50, are at increased risk. A personal history of stent implantation, heart attack, bypass surgery, or ongoing medical treatment also raises the risk.
Other risk factors include high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, insulin resistance or diabetes, a stressful lifestyle, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and being over 50 years old. International risk assessment tools such as SCORE and Framingham are used to estimate the overall cardiovascular risk based on these factors.
Risk Assessment and Prevention Program
Once the risk score is calculated, the prevention program focuses on correcting and monitoring these factors. The primary prevention program is conducted collaboratively by the Check-Up Unit and the Cardiology Clinic, while secondary prevention (which aims to prevent recurrence after a cardiovascular event) is managed by the Cardiology Clinic.
Why is a Cardiologic Check-Up Necessary?
If your family history includes early-onset coronary artery disease or if you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, you can protect yourself against coronary artery disease by undergoing a "Cardiologic Check-Up" as part of the primary prevention program. Even if the condition is in its early stages, you can manage it in a controlled manner and maintain your health.
