"We rank first in the EU in heart attack cases"

Altınbaş University hosted a health seminar titled "What Awaits Youth in Heart Health After COVID-19?"

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Ali Metin Esen, the seminar featured Prof. Dr. Özlem Esen, a faculty member of the Department of Cardiology at Altınbaş University's Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Özlem Esen emphasized the high percentage increase in heart attack cases in Türkiye, particularly among young people.

Dr. Özlem Esen reminded that Türkiye ranks first among EU countries in young heart attack cases, pointing out three significant risks specific to the country: high rates of smoking, especially among young people, high cholesterol, and sedentary lifestyle. She stressed the importance of burning as many calories as are consumed, advocating for healthy eating habits, such as the Mediterranean Diet, and increased physical activity. She recommended that if individuals cannot achieve 5000 steps daily, they should aim for at least 7500 steps every three days.

Dr. Özlem Esen also highlighted the significant risk posed by the rapidly spreading trend of electronic cigarette products, particularly among young people. She mentioned that this habit starts as early as the age of 15 and expressed concern that these products, rather than helping people quit smoking, may actually facilitate substance and drug use. She cited the FDA's statement that no electronic cigarette product is licensed for smoking cessation, and recent bans in the UK on disposable electronic cigarettes, known as "vape," due to these reasons. Dr. Esen warned that exposure to nicotine at a young age through such products could lead to faster and easier transitions to smoking and other addictions.

Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on heart health, Dr. Özlem Esen stated that research conducted over the past four years since the onset of the pandemic shows a significant effect on the risk of heart attacks, especially among individuals aged 25-45, particularly with the Omicron variant. She explained that viral particles can cause pathological problems in blood vessel walls, leading to an increase in heart attack cases in the days following a COVID-19 infection. As a result, doctors now begin treatment by asking patients if they have had COVID-19.

Dr. Özlem Esen emphasized that having had COVID-19 once increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 1.6 times, with repeated infections further increasing the risk. She noted that clinical examinations have revealed heart diseases in individuals who were not vaccinated but had contracted COVID-19, attributing the issue to the virus itself rather than the vaccine. Dr. Esen predicted the possibility of a pandemic of heart diseases in the next decade.

During the seminar, Dr. Esen also addressed questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, stating that it not only reduces the risk of contracting COVID-19 but also lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. She mentioned that temporary issues may arise in the first 48 hours after vaccination, especially with physical activity, but these do not pose a significant risk to life. Dr. Esen reassured that compared to the damage caused by the virus itself, the vaccine does not lead to significant problems from a vital perspective.