It’s a silent epidemic. 1,2 million Poles are already sick

While the world is facing the coronavirus pandemic, a completely different disease is quietly developing in Poland. Moreover, the mortality rate is increasing with this condition. The numbers are alarming – heart failure already affects 1,2 million people in our country.

1. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in Poland
2. Among men, 46 percent dies due to cardiovascular disease. In women, the mortality rate is 10% lower.
3. – Since 2016, this mortality has been increasing, despite an increase in expenditure on hospital treatment. This proves that there is a systemic error somewhere in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure – says Prof. Adam Witkowski
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Expert: “We have a quietly growing epidemic of heart failure”

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death. The data from the Central Statistical Office for 2018 shows that in men, these diseases are responsible for almost 46 percent. deaths, and among women – for 36 percent. They are most often caused by heart attacks and strokes, but heart failure is an increasing challenge for medical care.

“We have a quietly growing epidemic of heart failure” – said the president of the Polish Society of Cardiology Prof. Adam Witkowski. The data presented by him show that 2021 million Poles already suffer from this disease.

1. See also: Unusual symptoms of heart disease: Frank’s mark on the ear, drummer’s fingers. Don’t underestimate them!

– The greatest costs of this disease are associated with hospitalization. In 2019, PLN 1,6 billion was allocated to this, which represents an increase in the costs of hospital treatment by 125%. within 5 years – said the specialist, head of the Department of Cardiology and Interventional Angiology of the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw.

The increase in treatment costs did not reduce mortality. “Mortality is increasing”

In his opinion, it is worrying that the increase in treatment costs did not translate into a decrease in mortality from heart failure. “On the contrary, this mortality has been increasing since 2016, despite an increase in hospital costs. This proves that there is a systemic error somewhere in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure »- he emphasized. In his opinion, there is a lack of coordinated care and modern treatment, and too few one-day hospitalization units.

– That is why the idea was born to create a National Cardiology Network, so far in four provinces, for the rapid implementation of diagnostics and treatment. It concerns heart failure, drug-resistant hypertension, valvular heart disease and arrhythmias, he explained.

Coronary heart disease treatment network, which is the main cause of myocardial infarction, is planned to be introduced. It will start a pilot project in only one voivodeship (Mazowieckie Voivodeship), and the coordinating center will be the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw. “It is better, however, that such a pilot project should cover several, two, three or even five provinces” – commented the president of the Polish Cardiac Society.

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The Society believes that the network should be integrated as soon as possible with already existing networks, such as the invasive treatment of myocardial infarction network, which has been hugely successful in Europe and the world. “It should have a honeycomb structure, integrating the existing therapeutic programs, such as KOS-Zawał, which led to a reduction in mortality in patients after a heart attack, as well as a program of modern treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia” – explained Prof. Adam Witkowski.

He believes that KOS-Zawał should be a compulsory program for all hospitals hospitalizing patients with acute myocardial infarction, where coordinated care would still be provided. Similar effects may be achieved by the implementation of coordinated care for patients with heart failure.

– The pilot of this program was announced by the Ministry of Health in November 2018, but has not been implemented yet. We are striving and we hope that it will also be introduced – emphasized the president of PTK.

He pointed out that in order to obtain better results in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, it is necessary to introduce modern drugs and cardiological devices into the therapy. “Without the simultaneous synergy of coordinated care programs, cardiological network and faster introduction of modern drug therapies and devices, we will not provide an adequate treatment and diagnosis effect for patients with cardiovascular diseases” – he argued. “It will not be possible to limit the increasing mortality from these diseases,” he added. (PAP)

Author: Zbigniew Wojtasiński

Also read:

1. Heart failure is an epidemic of the XNUMXst century
2. Seven symptoms of a silent heart attack you need to know
3. Monika’s heart was about to finish. Then something amazing happened
4. Months when it is easiest to have a heart attack

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