The silent killer: the disease that claims the lives of over a third of Turkey’s residents

Worldwide, approximately 612 million people live with active heart disease, while local data indicate that approximately 1.86 million people in Turkey are dealing with these conditions.

The main cause of death in the world

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world. Professor Orak points out that these diseases are responsible for a third of all global deaths, as reported in the Cumhuriyet newspaper. Of these deaths, ischemic heart disease, such as heart attacks, causes 40 to 45 percent of mortality, and stroke contributes to another 30 to 35 percent. Beyond the mortality statistics, the condition also causes disability and loss of work force, and is ranked among the most limiting diseases in the world.

The Risk Factors of Adults in Turkey study provides a detailed map of heart health across the country. Statistics reveal 63 heart patients for every 1,000 adults. This figure includes 35 coronary patients, 20 hypertensive patients and 5 rheumatic patients. Large cities like Istanbul and Ankara have a 15 percent higher incidence of coronary heart disease. In contrast, rural areas face more cases of hypertension and rheumatic diseases.

High risk by residential area

The regional data highlights specific vulnerability in different regions. The Black Sea region shows the highest rates, with 9 percent among women, followed by the Marmara region with a rate of 8.9 percent among women. The Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions report the lowest national rates. Professor Ahmet Elfman suggests that high consumption of butter and stressful personality traits contribute to the high numbers in the Black Sea region.

Risk factors increase significantly for men over 45 and women over 55. While genetic factors contribute to risk, many factors are modifiable. Professor Orak sees every risk factor as a physical burden, where the risk of illness or death increases as this burden becomes heavier. Modifiable factors include smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity.

Mediterranean diet – the gold standard

Symptoms such as chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or fainting require immediate medical attention. Professor Orak emphasizes that early diagnosis and prevention remain the most effective treatments, and concludes that the most effective treatment is prevention.