Today, February 14th, is a good time to talk about the importance of taking care of our heart. Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death in Mexico, surpassing other chronic conditions. Despite medical advances, the country suffers a significant shortage of cardiologists, which worsens the situation and puts the health of millions at risk.
I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Francisco Javier Marín Gutiérrez, a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology, with a master's degree in cardiovascular theory. According to preliminary data from INEGI, in 2023, there were 189,210 deaths from heart diseases in Mexico. Myocardial infarctions accounted for the majority of these deaths, followed by hypertensive diseases and other cardiac conditions. The group aged 65 and older was the most affected.
Despite the decrease compared to 2022, heart diseases remain a major concern for public health. In the first half of 2024, they continued to be the leading cause of death, with 100,710 recorded deaths. The availability of cardiologists is crucial for the prevention and timely treatment of these diseases.
Comparing the number of cardiologists per population, Mexico has a much lower ratio than countries like Spain and the United States. This means that in Mexico, each cardiologist cares for approximately 2.5 times more people than in Spain and nearly 5 times more than in the United States.
The deficit of cardiologists in the country can lead to long waiting times, limited care, and geographic inequality in access to specialized attention. It is essential to implement strategies that strengthen the training of specialists, improve the distribution of medical resources, and promote prevention campaigns.
Deaths from cardiovascular diseases rank first on the list of causes of death in Mexico, followed by diabetes and malignant tumors. The lack of cardiologists contributes to this situation, making it necessary to urgently address this public health crisis.
