In Mexico, despite the decrease in figures in other countries, problems such as inadequate nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and high consumption of sugar, salt, and alcohol persist. This was alerted by Gabriela Borrayo Sánchez, Secretary-General of the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of deaths, followed by strokes and arrhythmias. Diabetes mellitus and cancer are also among the leading causes of death.
To address this issue, it is recommended to exercise for at least 30 minutes for five days a week. Gabriela Borrayo Sánchez created the "Heart Attack Code" in 2015, a protocol to address acute myocardial infarction emergencies that has saved around 10,000 lives. This protocol guarantees reperfusion treatment within the first 90 minutes, which has proven crucial to minimize damage.
In a second phase, Borrayo and her team are developing the "Brain Code" to timely address cardiovascular diseases and other brain conditions. Specifically regarding cancer, the importance of considering the cardiotoxic damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy is emphasized, warning about the low recovery rate from neurotoxic effects.
Everyday habits such as high stress, sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate nutrition significantly contribute to heart diseases. In Mexico, the consumption of processed products has increased, while fresh fruits and vegetables are consumed less. The need to monitor risk levels preventively from home and to adjust habits from childhood is a key recommendation to maintain heart health throughout life.
In 2023, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography registered a total of 97,328 deaths from heart diseases in Mexico, underscoring the urgent need to promote healthier lifestyles and awareness campaigns about the importance of prevention and cardiac care.
