According to the latest research by the Vietnam Cardiovascular Institute, up to 16.3% of the population in Northern Vietnam suffers from cardiovascular diseases, with coronary artery disease being the most prevalent. Nationwide, millions of people are diagnosed with coronary artery disease each year, and approximately 10% of these patients die from myocardial infarction.
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| Cardiovascular disease poses the greatest health threat to men today. It was responsible for nearly 345,000 male deaths in the year 2000 (according to the American Heart Association) |
Dr. Tran Thi Khue Vy from the FV Hospital’s Cardiology Department further explains that coronary artery disease is often 90-95% related to the process of atherosclerosis, where cholesterol accumulates in the vessel walls, leading to various complications (ranging from chronic myocardial ischemia to acute myocardial infarction).
In general, men have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease compared to women, with the rates becoming comparable only after women reach menopause.
According to Dr. Vy, the main risk factors that lead to coronary artery disease are obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, prehypertension, and diabetes…
In terms of symptoms, although there may be no clinical signs at times, the typical symptom of coronary artery disease is angina. The classic angina pain typically occurs behind the sternum or in the chest area, described as a feeling of heaviness or pressure radiating to the neck, left shoulder, and down the arm, lasting about 2-5 minutes. Sometimes chest pain is accompanied by rapid breathing, signaling a myocardial infarction.
Currently, the medical field has discovered various approaches to treat cardiovascular diseases, depending on the severity of the condition. However, the best advice from Dr. Vy is that “prevention is better than cure.” This means patients should make lifestyle changes and avoid risk factors by adopting healthier habits, engaging in exercise, playing sports, quitting smoking, maintaining a low-fat diet, and avoiding excessive salt intake…
For individuals with severe coronary artery disease (acute myocardial infarction), surgery or angioplasty may be necessary. In all cases, once diagnosed with coronary artery disease, treatment can be long-term, sometimes lifelong, and can incur significant costs.
Additionally, to prevent severe coronary artery disease, newly diagnosed patients should undergo regular health check-ups, monitor their blood pressure (at least once a year), refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight (avoiding being overweight or obese), and manage stress levels.
