More than 180 Pavlodar residents over 40 received free electrocardiograms and cardiologist consultations — an open day at the Pavlodar Regional Cardiology Center marking World Heart Day drew an unprecedented number of people seeking health checks, infohub.kz reports.
The event took place on September 29. According to Hronika.kz, typically no more than a hundred people attended the cardiology center's open day, where five doctors examined patients over four hours. This year, additional staff and extra examination rooms were needed to screen everyone.
The screening results were alarming. More than three out of four participants were found to have high blood pressure — a risk marker requiring ongoing monitoring.
Twelve percent of those examined had heart rhythm disorders. Coronary heart disease was diagnosed in 10% of participants, and another 10% were found to have chronic heart failure.
Based on the screening results, cardiologists gave patients individual recommendations. Some had their medication dosages adjusted, while others were referred for further tests.
In one participant, a 45-year-old woman, doctors suspected a heart defect. She was advised to undergo an echocardiogram at the cardiology center and consult a cardiac surgeon.
Doctors emphasized the need to regularly monitor blood pressure and undergo preventive checkups, especially when experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, palpitations or rapid heartbeat, fainting and near-fainting, as well as shortness of breath and dizziness.
For more on which daily habits harm heart health, read the Kursiv Health article featuring cardiologist Karlygash Khakhazova.