Joint awareness call issued for heart health and cholesterol measurements

A joint awareness call was issued by the Turkish Society of Cardiology and Novartis to draw attention to cardiovascular diseases, which rank among the leading causes of death in Turkey. Experts emphasized that regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks should not be neglected.

Cardiovascular disease landscape

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, a significant portion of deaths in the country result from cardiovascular diseases. Research conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization also highlights the importance of risk factors.

Cholesterol measurements and age groups

Analyses based on previous health surveys show that a substantial portion of individuals across different age groups have never had their cholesterol measured in their lifetime. This situation can make early detection of risks difficult.

Expert warnings on regular checks

Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul Okuyan, President of the Turkish Society of Cardiology, stated that alongside healthy eating and physical activity, tracking blood pressure and cholesterol levels such as LDL-C is of vital importance. Okuyan noted that checks and physician recommendations should not be delayed.

Emphasis on heart health every day

Serkan Barış, Country President of Novartis Turkey, expressed that heart health is a critical issue that must be addressed every day, not just during specific periods. Barış noted that they will continue to act jointly with stakeholders to prevent preventable outcomes.