Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in Poland. The most common cause of hospitalization and death among cardiovascular diseases is myocardial ischaemia, especially due to coronary artery disease.
A typical symptom of myocardial ischaemia is a burning pain and/or sensation of pressure build up in the chest. Often the pain radiates to the neck, jaw and/or left hand. The onset of the pain is most often during physical stress, during periods of rest the pain often recedes. Less common symptoms may include: shortness of breath, loss of tolerance for exercise, atypical pains during phisicall stress appearing in the throat, elbow or upper abdomen areas.
If these symptoms appear suddenly and do not recede after a couple of minutes it would be prudent to call a doctor or emergency service - Remember: in cases of myocardial ischaemia every minute counts!
If these symptoms start to appear slowly over a couple of weeks or month, or if the patient is a high risk case a family doctor should be contacted immediately.
Coronary Disease high risk factors:
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Age of 40+ in men, after menopause in women.
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Circulatory disorders (heart attack, stroke, sudden death) in the family.
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Diabetes
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High blood pressure
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Overweight or obesity.
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High blood cholesterol.
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Cigarette smoking.
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A sedentary life style
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Peripheral ischaemia: in leg, neck or kidney blood vessels.
The family doctor can discern the likelihood of coronary disease based on patient examination and available test results. In case of high risk the patient can be referred directly to the Center for invasive diagnosis (coronarography) or to the Outpatient Clinic. If the risk is intermediate the patient should be referred to a cardiology clinic where more test could be run (stress test, echo) which will help define further treatment.
For patients with the National Health Insurance Plan the doctor visits and test are done free of charge at clinics which have a signed contract with the National Health Fund.
At present there are 7 cardiology clinics in the Augustow area which take part in the International Insurance Plan. Their addresses and phone numbers can be obtained at the International Health Fund website for Podlasie – www.nfz-bialystok.pl