Turkish medical experts warn of rising cardiovascular disease mortality

Medical experts and the Turkish Society of Cardiology are issuing urgent warnings regarding the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Turkey. On the occasion of World Heart Day, health professionals emphasize that cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 34.7% of all deaths in the country according to 2025 data. This equates to roughly 171,000 deaths annually, a figure that exceeds the total number of COVID-19 deaths recorded during the pandemic.

Experts highlight a concerning trend where heart attacks are occurring approximately 10 years earlier in Turkey compared to European averages. The proportion of patients under the age of 40 has risen from 10-15% to 15-20% in recent years. Medical professionals stress that nearly 80% of these diseases are preventable through lifestyle modifications.

Key recommendations for reducing risk include maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week), avoiding tobacco, and managing stress. Doctors also urge citizens to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol (specifically LDL levels), and blood sugar levels through regular medical check-ups, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.