The term “dying from old age” is still used occasionally and for some reason we tend to accept it: half a century ago, however, a phrase like that made sense as we couldn’t explain a death every time. But today things are different, and with the advance of medicine we now almost always recognise the reason for a death…and that reason is a medical one.

In the 1950s, our life-expectancy was around 63 years; nowadays in Europe it is around 81 years. An incredible feat, mainly explained through ongoing advances in medical care and technology, prevention of diseases being the most important factor.

The figures
Accounting for almost half of deaths (45%) in Europe today are cardiovascular diseases, which include heart attack, stroke, heart failure and others, too. In comparison, cancer is the cause of one in every four deaths (24%).

But it is important to be aware that over the past 25 years, there has been an increase of 34% in the absolute number of CVD cases and the figures are increasing.

The positive part of this rather sad reality is that an astonishing 80% of the deaths caused by CVD are actually preventable. And that means that with thorough and correct professional assessment and treatment of modifiable risk factors, we are able to potentially increase our lifespan.

Preventative measures
Increased cardiovascular risk starts developing at a very young age, and the longer we ignore the pertinent risk factors, the higher the probability of suffering a CVD in the long run. And those risk factors are well known – arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, diet, obesity and depression/anxiety.

These are silent killers; we don’t feel them, and sometimes we don’t even know we have them, only noticing a problem when the damage has already been done. CVDs attack slowly but constantly, damaging every organ in our body. However, through thorough examination and assessment, we can find them prematurely and, in good cases are able to reverse the damage done or halt its progression.

Without question, the most efficient way to evaluate a CVD and establish the best and most effective way to deal with it, is to consult with a specialised doctor who takes a personalised and individual approach to each patient, and is able to assess every risk factor in detail and recommend  the best course to take to achieve the most for an additional lifetime, free of cardiovascular disease.

Remember, we don’t die from old age, we die because we didn’t prevent it on time. At the Family Medical Centre, we have a highly-qualified team, dedicated to preventing and treating cardiovascular risk factors and diseases

Family Medical Centres Quinta do Lago /  T: 289 398 411
Vale do Lobo /  T: 289 398 009 | family-medical-centre.pt