The World Health Organization, WHO, explains that non-communicable diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are the main cause of death in Latin America.
Recently, renowned entrepreneur Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Climate Ambition and Solutions joined Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, to call for urgent action to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which account for more than 74% of deaths worldwide and worsen outcomes for COVID-19 patients.
Tedros said global business leaders and governments are urged to take aggressive action to prevent non-communicable diseases. “Fewer NCDs would have meant fewer deaths during the pandemic,” he said.
In this context, Dr. Nelson Rodríguez, a family medicine specialist and member of the Sanofi medical department, comments that before the pandemic, these diseases already represented a major health problem, and during the pandemic, several phenomena have been seen because people were stopping going to the doctor and therefore losing track of and controlling their illnesses, and as there is more confinement, obesity rates have increased and it has silently weighed on us during the pandemic and will take its toll on us for years to come.
John Bibawy, MD, a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology and heart rhythm disorders at Cleveland Clinic Weston, explains that the survey data reflect a problem because a delay in treatment could lead to advanced disease.
An overview of the actions that the pandemic has caused
In this regard, a survey by Cleveland Clinic Florida takes as an example that in the topic of heart disease in the United States, only 52% of people approached a doctor or sought medical attention after experiencing a worrying health problem during the COVID-19 outbreak. When it comes to patients with heart disease, that number rose to 63%.
One of the warnings mentioned is that many turned to the Internet or friends and family for informal medical advice, instead of seeking out a specialist.
The survey also found that worries about contracting the virus are keeping people — especially heart disease patients — from seeing a doctor. About 85% of Americans say they worry about contracting COVID-19 when seeking treatment for health problems at a doctor’s office. Another alarming finding: One in three heart disease patients has put off taking heart medications, with the top reason being that they are worried about going to the doctor during the pandemic.
Weight gain and stress also ranked high in the survey as a result of the pandemic, with 42% of Americans and about half (47%) of heart disease patients gaining weight during the pandemic. Among Americans who gained weight, 25% gained more than 20 pounds. Three-quarters (76%) of Americans report feeling more stressed due to COVID-19, but only half (55%) know that stress can have a substantial impact on their heart health.
The power of control
Rodríguez certainly shares the concern about the uncertain outlook for these diseases if there is no change. The expert recognizes that each of these diseases can be controlled and have a better prognosis, as well as reducing negative impacts.
The first step is to accept the disease, understand it, get informed, and make the best decisions for your well-being. This includes adhering to medical follow-up and following the recommended medication, which is why it is important not to stop taking the medication. During the pandemic, patients are urged to have a reserve of medication at home for any eventuality and not to abandon their processes.
The WHO, for its part, indicates that a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, and avoiding tobacco consumption are habits that will benefit a person. “If these pillars are met, a lot can be done to control the disease,” says Rodríguez.
Dr. Rodriguez says that many patients deny these diseases because they do not cause pain. Sometimes they do not realize that their blood sugar is high because there are no symptoms, but this condition affects the organs little by little when it gets out of control and complications arise over the years. Likewise, attention is not paid to things like high blood pressure, which does not cause symptoms and since the patient does not feel anything even though they have been prescribed medication, they may abandon the therapy.
In this path to a healthy life, nutritionist Lucía de la Roca gives some general guidelines for a healthier life. “The key is to consume a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, in the quantities established in your eating plan,” she explains.
Which groups to include?
- Vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green leafy vegetables, peppers and tomatoes)
- Fruits (oranges, melons, strawberries, apples, grapes)
- Whole grains
- Proteins (lean meat (low fat), chicken or turkey without skin, fish, eggs)
- Skimmed or low-fat dairy products
- Oils and fats (olive oil, seeds and avocado)
It is important to avoid mistakes such as eliminating carbohydrates from the diet or skipping meals. If there are any doubts about the quantities or type of food, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
The movement
Different types of physical activity should be performed each week to help combat boredom and decrease your chance of injury.
If the patient has had a period of inactivity or is just starting physical activity, they should start slowly, doing only five or ten minutes a day, and gradually progress and increase the time each week. They can start with stretching exercises, since they are mild or moderate physical activity and increase flexibility, reduce stress, and help prevent muscle pain.
In the case of patients with diabetes, the patient may have poor vision or nerve damage in the feet, so it is recommended to seek support from friends or to exercise or walk inside the house.
Additionally, it is important to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels within the desired values, as well as to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.