This September 29, «use your heart to connect»

Next Wednesday, September 29, the World Heart Day is celebrated and from Cardioalianza , entity that groups in Spain to more than 50 organizations of patients with cardiovascular disease , an appeal is made for individuals, entities and governments use your heart to connect “ Use heart to connect ”, leading a healthier lifestyle; connect with every heart , to promote access to digital health worldwide; and connect with people with cardiovascular disease , so patients don’t feel alone.

COVID-19 continues to advance throughout the planet and is adding more and more deaths; In our country alone, it has affected more than 5 million people s, of which 85,783 have died. Even so, it should be remembered that CVD continues to be the main cause of death in the world and in Spain, since in 2018 were responsible for 28.3% (120,859 deaths) of all deaths, ahead of tumors (26.4% with 112,714 deaths) and respiratory system diseases (12.6% with 53,687 deaths).

This pandemic has affected the entire society, but above all, and more severely, the most vulnerable people , such as the elderly population and those with previous chronic pathologies, as is the case of patients with cardiovascular disease . They have had a higher risk of developing more severe forms of Covid-19, which generated a general fear of contagion , which in turn caused the disconnection of these patients with their family and friends , a serious loss of continuity of care and that many heart attacks were not treated or that they arrived at the Hospital with too much delay

According to Cardioalianza, this World Day has to be different from all previous ones, because «the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of that human relationships have and the power to be connected with the world around us ». With COVID-19 we have experienced a boom in digital services , which have helped to better overcome isolation and solve, in part, saturation in health care .

For these reasons Cardioalianza, a member entity of the World Heart Federation (WHF), asks citizens in general and patients with CVD in particular, that on this World Day “ Use your heart to connect ”emphasizing three basic pillars: prevention, equity and community.

• Prevention

The best way to prevent CVD or to avoid getting worse is to follow healthy lifestyle habits: a balanced diet, practicing physical exercise in a regulating and saying no to tobacco. In this sense, we remember that there are digital tools that can help motivate you and stay active. The important thing is that, even if you are at home, you continue with a heart-healthy routine. And don’t forget that if you feel unwell or you notice that something is wrong, you should call the emergency room (112 or 061). Healthcare remains safe and healthcare professionals continue to work.

• Equity

Hearts that are “disconnected” are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to lack of access to prevention, treatment and adequate follow-up. To reduce this digital divide, it is essential to promote technology and health education for the entire population, taking into account its socioeconomic context. In this way, if we manage to empower young people, the elderly, men, women, boys, girls, patients, health professionals and create digital tools that allow better prevention, diagnosis and care, we will be able to reduce the digital divide and reduce CVD.

• Community

In Spain, it is estimated that there are more than 4 million people living with CVD, who have been particularly affected by COVID-19, making them even more vulnerable. In this sense, digital networks have the power to connect patients with their family, friends, other patients, doctors and caregivers. No one should have to feel alone, pandemic or not, so let’s use technology to overcome isolation and gaps in healthcare. The online world has opened up new possibilities in the field of cardiovascular care that millions of people could benefit from. In this pandemic situation, staying in touch is important to our physical and emotional health. Connect!

“ To achieve these common goals, from Cardioalianza we urge health institutions and the central and regional governments to work to implement measures that contribute to promoting access and connectivity of patients with the Health System, with health professionals, as well as between the different levels of care, and patients should participate in its design “, points out Maite San Saturnino, president of Cardioalianza.

In this sense, Prof. Faustino Pinto, president of the WHF, highlights that “ we have never seen such a technological acceleration in cardiology “, Adding that,” this is a unique opportunity we have to transform the lives of millions of people who today have been left behind in healthcare. We should use digital health to accelerate and take advantage of the efforts we have made in prevention, in saving lives, and in care in general. ”

How can you use your heart and connect?

From Cardioalianza they encourage you to share on social networks how you “use your heart” with the hashtag # UseMyHeart n :

1. You can share a picture doing a healthy activity for your heart, (doing physical exercise, eating fruit, etc.) Ex: “I # UseMyHeart to say no to tobacco and start exercising.”
• Create your own poster ter and share it through your social networks. Don’t forget to use the hashtag # UsoMiCorazón.