Kazakhstan Strengthens Heart Disease Screening
Over the past five years, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases has decreased by 15%, while mortality from them has fallen by more than one-third. Today, the screening programme has been expanded with new diagnostic methods, allowing doctors to make timely diagnoses, reports 24KZ.
It is early morning, and Shaizada Naragayeva is already waiting for her appointment at a polyclinic in the capital. For about ten years, she has been regularly undergoing all scheduled medical examinations, even when she has no health complaints. She believes that a medical check-up is about taking care of her health rather than simply ticking a box in a doctor's report. She also never misses the screening programme for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases. The woman admits that she has no heart problems, but says this is no reason to neglect preventive care.
Shaizada Naragayeva, patient:
– First of all, it gives me peace of mind about myself and my life. I believe the responsibility lies with me, not only with healthcare professionals. I have to know how I feel. Time goes by, and I need to know that everything is fine with my health. I want to live a long life. Besides, it doesn't take much time. I can easily complete the entire screening in just one day.
Screening for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases is carried out once every two years. The target group includes people aged between 40 and 76. According to doctors, this is the age when the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is the highest. The examination begins with a visit to a pre-screening office, where the patient's height, weight and blood pressure are measured. Medical staff also collect information about the patient's health and lifestyle. After that, all participants undergo blood tests for key indicators.
Elmira Muzrapova, physician at the Prevention Department of City Polyclinic No. 9:
– Until this year, blood was taken from a finger to measure glucose and cholesterol levels. These were more general tests, and if elevated levels were detected, patients had to undergo additional examinations. Now, venous blood is taken in the treatment room, allowing us to perform more specific tests, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and glycated haemoglobin. This enables us to make more accurate conclusions based on the screening results and significantly shortens the patient's diagnostic pathway.
Based on the results of these tests, doctors determine the next course of action. If all indicators are within the normal range, no treatment is required. If abnormalities are found, the patient is referred for a comprehensive examination, a consultation with a cardiologist, or appropriate treatment. Doctors also stress that preventive measures should not be ignored by people in their thirties or even younger, especially those who have had COVID-19 or have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Gulzhan Myrzakhmetova, Head of Cardiology Department No. 2 at the Heart Centre:
– In the past, dyslipoproteinaemia, or high cholesterol, was considered the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Today, however, there is growing evidence that inflammatory factors also contribute to damage to the vascular wall. Inflamed blood vessels can become injured and may lead to myocardial infarction even in young people. COVID-19 is one of the conditions associated with this process, as it can cause immune dysfunction and inflammation of the vascular endothelium. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had patients aged just 25 to 28 who were brought to us by ambulance with myocardial infarction.
There are several risk factors for cardiovascular disease that people can eliminate themselves. These include smoking, an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity. Nevertheless, doctors emphasise that preventive screenings and regular health check-ups are not just a formality. They provide an opportunity to detect a disease before complications develop, some of which may be life-threatening.