Covid, Giuseppe Speziale: heart patients most at risk, Sos valve diseases

“Patients suffering from heart disease, and especially valvular pathologies, are vulnerable in the case of Covid-19 because they present a significant risk of morbidity and mortality”, as “the European Society of Cardiology (Esc) has long stated”, European Society of Cardiology. “Yet, during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, according to a study conducted by the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (Gise), one in two heart patients did not undergo any check-ups for fear of contagion, despite the fact that there were specific protocols in Italy. and different paths with respect to Covid patients, both in public hospitals and in private structures “. This was remembered by the promoters of the ‘#Ascoltalo’ awareness campaign, which took place in April, but it conveys a message that is always valid: the password is prevention. Senior Italia FederAnziani, federation of associations for the rights of the elderly, Esc, World Heart Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society and Fh Europe (The European Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Patient Network) invite people to “not underestimate the symptoms of heart disease and undergo a diagnosis From multiple studies and surveys – the experts in particular underline – an evident criticality emerged with regard to valvular pathologies “. Giuseppe Speziale, an internationally renowned cardiac surgeon – reads a note – with over 6 thousand operations, one thousand of which of isolated minimally invasive mitral surgery, highlights in fact that valve diseases are very widespread, indeed they can be considered the most frequent heart diseases in our country. In Italy every year there are about 250 thousand deaths from cardiovascular diseases, many of them from valve diseases. Little is said about it, for example with respect to traumatic events such as heart attack – observes the specialist – it is because in the case of valve diseases the character of urgency is lacking. Heart attack is a pathology that surprises, it is acute, it needs immediate action, while valve diseases have a much slower course, but they are no less serious for this. Indeed, in the long run they can be fatal. Unfortunately, the media underestimation of valve diseases proves to be their best ally: many people at risk do not undergo periodic checks and this can have very serious consequences, warns the expert. symptoms can always be identified. That is, that sort of mental alarm present in each of us does not trigger, which makes us think we have symptoms for which to require even in-depth checks. Hence the need to inform and raise awareness on the issue. Spziale also talks about his activity as vice president of GVM Care & Research, an Italian hospital group present in 10 Regions and 4 countries. “Something unique that has nothing to do with competitors usually concentrated in a single region or a little more”, is the testimony; a network of structures strong “of their bond with the territory, in whose wards you can breathe a unique sense of belonging. You feel part of a single hospital, Italian but international in experience, without barriers, without stereotypes. With the intention of in this way to overcome the parochialism children of the subculture of division – specifies Speziale – by putting the country system at the center, but above all the patient, who can effectively be treated and followed close to his home “.