The key to controlling coronary heart disease lies in prevention. According to research by the World Health Organization, as long as comprehensive preventive measures are taken, about 80% of heart diseases can be prevented. For the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, a combination of principles should be adopted: population-wide strategies, high-risk population strategies, and patient prevention and treatment strategies.
To strengthen the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and prevent the occurrence or delay the progression of the disease, I will introduce the following preventive measures:
The first line of defense is to prevent the onset of the disease. That is, to do a good job in primary prevention and focus on population-based prevention strategies. A multi-disciplinary alliance should be formed for collaborative work, with joint efforts to comprehensively control multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the population. It is important to start from a young age group, especially adolescents under the age of 18, so that they can consciously stay away from risk factors and develop good living habits from an early age.
The second line of defense is to prevent events. That is, to take measures to prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases and avoid acute dangerous consequences. Specifically, this means managing patients with coronary heart disease to ensure their long-term stability and prevent serious consequences such as myocardial infarction. Stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques and antithrombotic therapy are key to preventing events.
The third line of defense is to prevent consequences. If serious consequences such as myocardial infarction occur, consideration must be given to how to quickly and scientifically treat the patient.
The fourth line of defense is to prevent recurrence. That is, to prevent the recurrence of serious events such as myocardial infarction. After recovery, patients must pay attention to interventions for behavioral risk factors, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and engaging in appropriate physical activity. If unhealthy lifestyles are not changed, there is always a risk of recurrence.
To reduce the overall incidence of coronary heart disease, there must be participation from the whole society, not just isolated efforts from health departments. It is particularly necessary to change the situation where specialists in general hospitals and community doctors are disconnected, and shift from treatment centered on general hospitals and large hospitals to prevention centered on communities. The focus of prevention and treatment should be moved down to strengthen the intervention efforts of communities on multiple risk factors. An important point is to transform standardized measures for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases into daily community health practices.
Currently, there is hope and difficulty in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, as well as opportunities and challenges coexisting. With the joint efforts of epidemiologists, clinical physicians specializing in cardiovascular diseases, and experts in related disciplines such as sociology, psychology, behavioral science, nutrition, exercise science, and economics, through extensive cooperation and even the attention and participation of the entire society, good results in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease will certainly be achieved.