Regular Health Checks Could Save Your Life

According to the 2023 WHF, the number of deaths caused by CVDs has risen by 60% in the last 30 years, up from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021, highlighting the need for urgent action.

In South Africa, CVD is the second leading cause of mortality, responsible for almost one in six deaths, more than all cancers combined.  According to the SAHSF, 225 South Africans die from heart disease every day and 10 people suffer a stroke every hour, with high blood pressure claiming 13% of these lives globally.

Health checks the key to survival

Peter Mehlape, MD of Medtronic Southern Africa, one of the world’s largest medical technology, services and solutions companies, says the alarming statistics point to the need for a simple intervention: having regular health checks.

“Many people are unaware that they have a heart problem, and statistics show that 80% of them could save their lives with regular health checks,” he says.  “If their doctor identifies a heart problem, there are many treatments or procedures that can mean the difference between an early death and a full life.

“For example, the implanting of a pacemaker, a simple and effective procedure, is resulting in an estimated 3 million people enjoying full lives today.”

Dr Iftikhar Ebrahim, a qualified interventional cardiologist practicing at Raslouw Private Hospital, concurs.  “Many heart conditions, such as arrhythmia (where your heart beats too slowly, too fast or in an irregular way) aren’t noticed by the patient. The most common of these arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation, which can also cause a stroke.”

Although genetics, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are risk factors for CVD,  poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise also raise the risk of developing CVD, he says.

Dr Ruan Louw, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist Director of Electrophysiology Mediclinic Midstream Hospital, also stresses that early diagnosis and treatment are essential, adding that most arrhythmias, if treated early, do not significantly influence a person’s life expectancy.

People should note, however, that certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, continue to increase exponentially.  “This is mostly as a result of a modern lifestyle, obesity, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits.“Fortunately, patients with arrhythmia are being diagnosed earlier not only due to an improved awareness of the symptoms of arrhythmia, but also technological advancements such as smart watches capable of displaying heart rates, and electrocardiographs (ECGs).”

Surgical technological advances offer better treatment

Dr Louw notes that surgical technological advancements have enabled doctors to treat patients more effectively, allowing them to cure or alleviate symptoms much more effectively than can be achieved by medication alone.

He says in cases of arrhythmia where the heart beats too fast or “misfires” may be cured by a procedure known as an ablation. “This procedure is performed via a minimally invasive route where small ‘spaghetti-like’ catheters are advanced into the heart via small tubes that are placed within the blood vessels located in the groin area. Using these catheters, small burns, electrical impulses or ‘freezes’ are then applied to the tissue causing the arrhythmia. The recovery period is usually no more than a few days and usually patients only have to spend one day in hospital.”

Pacemakers (small, battery-powered devices) are used to treat abnormally slow heartbeats, but are typically only required if the slow heartbeat results in symptoms such as dizzy spells, loss of consciousness or feeling out breath with minimal physical exertion.

Also a minimally invasive procedure, he explains how it works: “A pacemaker is inserted under the skin using a small incision (+-4cm) below the collar bone. The pacemaker is connected to the heart by wires (pacemaker leads). These pacemaker leads are inserted into a vein under the collar bone using the same 4cm incision.

“Patients usually have to spend only one day in hospital but need to limit movement of the arm (on the side where the pacemaker is located) for 2-4 weeks. Driving may be prohibited for to +-2 weeks in some patients.”

The take-home message from both doctors is that having regular health checks are the key to safeguarding your heart – and sometimes, your life.