Ziv Medical Center in Safed Marks World Heart Day
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Ziv Medical Center in Safed held World Heart Day events featuring health screenings and educational sessions on heart disease prevention. Experts highlighted lifestyle changes, early detection, and prompt medical attention as crucial for cardiovascular health.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ziv Medical Center in Safed marked World Heart Day with health education and screenings.
- Experts stressed patient awareness and lifestyle changes in preventing heart disease.
- Key risk factors include smoking, poor diet, inactivity, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Prompt medical attention is vital for treating heart attacks and limiting damage.
- The center offers comprehensive cardiac services, including advanced treatments.
Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Israel, observed World Heart Day with a series of educational activities and health screenings. The event, overseen by Dr. Tatiana Levin, director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute, featured four awareness stations. These stations provided information on basic life support, risk factors for heart disease, the importance of physical activity, and healthy nutrition. Blood pressure checks and assessments of upper and lower limb muscle strength were also conducted.
Dr. Majdi Halabi, director of the Cardiology Department at Ziv, emphasized that while advanced medical technology saves lives, patient awareness and behavior are crucial first steps. He noted that many individuals unknowingly harm their heart health due to a lack of awareness about risk factors, often leading to delayed emergency room visits. Halabi stressed the critical importance of time in cardiac emergencies, as delays can worsen damage.
Halabi further explained that a significant portion of heart disease risk can be mitigated through lifestyle changes, early management of risk factors, and regular medical follow-ups. He identified smoking as a major risk factor, stating that quitting, even after years of smoking, greatly reduces the risk of heart attacks and improves cardiovascular and respiratory function. High cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension were also highlighted as key risk factors, with blood tests and continuous medical monitoring recommended for early detection and treatment.
Lack of physical activity was cited as another significant risk factor. Medical recommendations suggest incorporating at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly into daily routines, tailored to individual health conditions and guided by medical professionals. Diet also plays a vital role, with excessive salt, sugar, and processed foods increasing risk, while a balanced diet protects the heart and blood vessels. Halabi urged immediate medical attention upon suspecting a heart attack, as prompt treatment maximizes the chances of limiting heart muscle damage and saving lives.
The Ziv Medical Center's Cardiology Department offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, including inpatient care, a cardiac intensive care unit, a catheterization lab, non-invasive cardiology, an electrophysiology unit, and a cardiac rehabilitation institute. Recent advancements include radiofrequency ablation for renal artery hypertension and pulmonary embolism treatment via catheterization. The center also utilizes advanced, high-speed CT scanners for cardiac imaging. Halabi concluded by urging the public to proactively manage heart health through awareness of risk factors, regular check-ups, and heeding warning signs, emphasizing that early detection combined with Ziv's advanced capabilities provides high-quality cardiac care locally in northern Israel.