UNAIR NEWS – Based on data from the Ministry of Health’s Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018, the incidence of heart and blood vessel disease increases every year. In Indonesia, at least 15 out of 1000 people or around 2.8 million people suffer from heart disease.
Not only elderly, but young age and teenagers can also get heart disease. Dr. Santi Martini, dr., M. Kes., a lecturer of the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) from the Department of Epidemiology also mentioned that the younger generation is susceptible to the disease.
That is caused by the unhealthy lifestyle of the millennial generation, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, low consumption of nutritious foods, especially vegetables and fruit, and low physical activity. Therefore, Santi shared some tips for the community to maintain their heart from an early age.
Medical Check Up
A routine medical check-up is the first solution Santi mentioned. According to her, it is better to start from a young age, at least at 18 years of age or being a college student; an examination has been performed. Once every five years is enough. But if it is not normal, it should be immediately checked by a doctor.
“At least the student has checked his blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. So they can be more aware, ” she said.
From the age of 40 years and over, the public should consider doing more check-ups. If someone has no history of hypertension, diabetes, and stroke, the check can be done every two years. But if someone has a history of chronic illness, then you should check at least once a year.
Santi also added that someone thin does not necessarily have a normal Body Mask Index (BMI). Because nowadays, there are many cases that those who are thin have high cholesterol levels. So everyone must be careful.
Recognize risk factors and symptoms
Risk factors, in this case, are divided into two, behavioral and metabolic risk factors. Metabolic risk factors include blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol and obesity while behavioral factors such as lack of physical activity or exercise, smoking, and frequent exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol or alcohol, and eating patterns high in cholesterol and fat.
Some of these risk factors must be considered. Such factors as unhealthy behavior must be avoided and replaced with healthy behaviors ( Healthy Lifestyle ).
“Like sports, it must be done regularly. Actually, we have to do sports as part of life, ” she said.
Symptoms of the disease should be recognized properly. Although sometimes the symptoms are not typical, don’t be afraid to have a check-up as prevention and treatment. For example, a symptom of hypertension is dizziness; weakness of limbs and muscles is a symptom of stroke; being hungry, thirsty, and feeling tingling are symptoms of diabetes.
Doing sports as a routine
Sports as a form of physical activity must be done routinely. Mild exercise such as walking becomes a simple choice that can be done by everyone.
Exercise is done for at least 30 minutes and three times a week. Or it could be twice a week for one hour. Even easier, done 15 minutes every day. A smartphone can be used to calculate the steps per day. 10,000 steps per day is the ideal number of steps recommended for getting enough physical activity.
“Live healthily from now on because students are agents of change. Agent of change for himself or for the surrounding environment. Education is successful if the knowledge is implemented, “she said.
“Live healthily from now on because students are agents of change. Agent of change for himself or for the surrounding environment. Education is successful if the knowledge is implemented, “she said.
However, doing exercise does not mean forcing someone to do excessive activities. Exercise must also be adjusted to the body’s abilities because the muscles actually need time to rest. The choice of exercise becomes important, related to age and health conditions. (*)
Author: Ulfah Mu’amarotul Hikmah
Editor: Binti Q Masruroh
