The Heart: a unique system coordinating the body’s functions
September 29 – World Heart Day
Every year on September 29, people worldwide observe World Heart Day. The day aims to raise public awareness about preventing cardiovascular disease, encourage healthy lifestyles, and promote greater awareness of personal health. After all, the heart is a unique system that coordinates the body’s functions.
About the size of a fist, the human heart is a remarkably powerful muscular organ. At the center of the circulatory system, it works nonstop to deliver oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body. On average, the heart beats more than 100,000 times a day and pumps about 7,000-8,000 liters of blood throughout the body. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the organs, while veins return carbon dioxide-rich blood to the lungs to be reoxygenated. Recent research shows that the heart is more than a mechanical pump: it also produces hormones and helps regulate blood pressure, as well as the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. More than 18 million people die from cardiovascular diseases each year. Most concerning, these conditions have increasingly affected younger people in recent years. The fact that heart problems are now being seen even among young people is a serious concern for medical specialists.
Several dangerous cardiovascular conditions are commonly seen in medical practice. Coronary heart disease and angina occur when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked, causing severe chest pain and tightness. If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, blood flow to part of the heart muscle is cut off, and the affected tissue dies. This condition, called myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Arterial hypertension, or persistently high pressure against blood vessel walls, is also a major cause of stroke and heart attack. Heart failure develops when the heart can no longer function effectively and gradually loses its ability to deliver enough blood to the body. An abnormally fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat can lead to arrhythmias.
“Today, cardiovascular conditions are widespread not only among older adults but also among the working-age population”, says cardiologist Guzal Alimova. “The main reasons are changes in our daily lifestyles, chronic stress, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet. Many people dismiss chest discomfort or pain as temporary fatigue and seek medical attention too late. Yet simple preventive measures, when taken promptly, and regular blood pressure monitoring could prevent many serious complications”.
According to the doctor, the main factors that harm heart health are often tied to our everyday habits. An unhealthy diet and excess weight, including excessive consumption of fast food, animal fats, sweets, and salt, raise blood cholesterol and can lead to blocked blood vessels. Physical inactivity can also weaken the heart muscle, while tobacco and alcohol use can constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. Persistent stress can disrupt heart rhythm and place additional strain on the heart.
Over the past few decades, cardiology has advanced remarkably worldwide. Thanks to modern medicine, many heart conditions once considered untreatable can now be successfully managed. In particular, specialized stents that widen coronary arteries and restore blood flow without open surgery are saving countless lives. Minimally invasive procedures performed through small incisions are increasingly replacing open-heart surgery, allowing patients to recover more quickly. At the same time, modern devices that regulate heart rhythm, such as pacemakers, along with new-generation medications that help keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control, are significantly extending patients’ lives.
“Despite these advances, several challenges in the field remain to be addressed. Because of insufficient health awareness among the population, many people still seek medical attention only when their condition has reached an advanced stage. In recent years, cardiology in Uzbekistan, along with other areas of medicine, has entered a qualitatively new stage of development. Extensive efforts are underway across the country to prevent cardiovascular diseases and improve the quality of their diagnosis and treatment”.
Indeed, the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Cardiology and its regional branches have been equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Complex cardiac procedures that were previously performed only in the capital or abroad – including coronary angiography, stenting, and even complex open-heart surgery – are now successfully performed at medical institutions in regional and district centers. Primary healthcare facilities have also introduced targeted screening programs to identify people at high risk of hypertension and diabetes at an early stage.
According to the doctor’s recommendations, maintaining heart health requires at least 30 minutes of walking, running, or swimming daily. It is also important to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, leafy greens, lean meat, and fish while limiting salt and sugar intake. Regular medical check-ups, monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and managing stress are essential for maintaining good health.
Mohigul Qosimova, UzA
