In the message he shared on his social media account on September 29, World Heart Day, Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca shared some information about cardiovascular surgeries and heart transplants.
Stating that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Türkiye, as in the rest of the world, Koca noted that approximately 18 million people in the world die due to heart diseases and stroke every year, and that this number is expected to reach 23 million in 2030.
Koca said, “40-50 percent of deaths in Türkiye occur due to cardiovascular diseases” and added, "The number of heart surgeries in Türkiye between June 2022 and June 2023 is over 70 thousand. 73 percent of these surgeries are coronary bypass surgeries and 15 percent are valve surgeries, 4 percent are aortic surgeries and 8 percent are congenital heart surgeries."
"There are 15 heart transplant centers in Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, İstanbul and İzmir"
Stating that coronary artery disease, diabetes, rheumatic and degenerative valve diseases, hypertension and genetic cardiomyopathies, obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking are the most important factors that threaten heart health in the world and in Türkiye, Koca continued:
"At least 80 percent of premature deaths due to heart disease and stroke can be prevented by controlling the primary risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity. We strongly recommend that you be careful about these risk factors. In Türkiye between September 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023, heart transplantation was performed on 39 patients. There are 15 heart transplant centers in Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, İstanbul and İzmir. Donating the organs of a brain-dead patient with the decision of their family is one of the greatest and exemplary good deeds. We hope to overcome the prejudice about organ transplantation more quickly. Take care of your heart for your life. Happy World Heart Day."
