"A KNOWN DISEASE IS HALF CURED" (Tomasz Fuller, physician).
These words were spoken in the 18th century. Progress and an increasingly advanced level of civilization have contributed, on the one hand, to more rapid control of diseases, but also to the emergence of new ones. Healthcare in economically developed countries underwent profound transformations in the post-war period. Mortality from infectious and parasitic diseases declined significantly, but the number of deaths caused by diseases of civilization—particularly cardiovascular diseases resulting from atherosclerosis—increased markedly. These diseases include ischemic heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis of the peripheral arteries.
Changes in eating habits, declining physical activity, smoking, and alcohol abuse play a leading role here. Next in importance is the harmful effect of stress. In some patients, genetically determined causes can be demonstrated.
In economically wealthy countries with greater public awareness, a decline in the incidence of coronary heart disease has been observed in recent decades. High rates are characteristic of the countries of Northern Europe, North America, and Australia. Among European countries, Poland ranks among those with the highest incidence of coronary heart disease. Today, every second death is caused by heart and circulatory diseases. I would like to remind you that the natural development of atherosclerosis begins at the age of two. We can no longer wait and excuse ourselves with objective difficulties. Economic disorder and poverty do not absolve us of moral responsibility. In view of the right to life and its protection, state priorities should be guaranteed. Since, however, there is no other way, I welcomed with great satisfaction the initiative of a group of patients who had suffered a heart attack.
They established, at the Towarzystwo Miłośników Bolesławca, a Social Committee to Purchase a Cardiac Ultrasound Machine for the Hospital in Bolesławiec. They wish to fill their saved lives and happy days free from ailments by collecting money from the residents of Bolesławiec, beginning with themselves. For the city of Bolesławiec is beautiful, and its residents must be guaranteed healthcare.
What is a cardiac ultrasound examination?
Progress is achieved everywhere through human reason. A sick person suffers. Examinations of a sick person often cause additional pain. To avoid this, devices are designed that precisely detect disease while not causing discomfort to the patient. However, such devices are expensive. Cardiac ultrasound—echocardiography—is currently the most important non-invasive diagnostic method for heart diseases. Indications include the diagnosis of acquired and congenital heart defects, coronary heart disease and its complications, cardiomyopathies, heart tumors, pericardial diseases, and assessment of artificial heart valves.
No preparation of the patient is required for the examination. If the ultrasound machine is equipped with Doppler, it makes it possible to obtain information about blood flow through the heart and vessels. By providing this information, I want to make Readers aware of the purpose of purchasing an echocardiograph. On behalf of the doctors of the Hospital in Bolesławiec, I thank you for your generosity and assistance.
Before we obtain the ultrasound machine, however, I encourage you to engage in sincere and friendly cooperation. In our next meetings, I would like to acquaint Readers with the problems of coronary heart disease, its causes, treatment, and prevention.