Those interested will have the opportunity to clarify any questions they may have in a one-on-one conversation with doctors and medical professionals and to have their individual risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, stroke, or heart failure assessed. To this end, key health metrics such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels will be measured on site. Comprehensive informational materials will also be available, explaining, among other things, risk factors such as atrial fibrillation—an often-unrecognized heart rhythm disorder.
If needed, participants can also be put in touch with the “Stroke and High Blood Pressure” support group in Wiesbaden. Ms. Stephanie Pauli, the group’s leader, will also visit the double-decker bus for this purpose.
“Our commitment as a clinic goes far beyond actual patient care,” emphasizes GPR Managing Director Achim Neyer. “With our on-site counseling, we want to contribute to public education, identify risk factors early on, and thus help prevent cardiovascular diseases.”
“Many of these conditions develop unnoticed over the course of years and are often not detected until complications have already set in,” adds Medical Director PD Dr. Gerd Albuszies. “This makes it all the more important to educate people early on, explain the connections, and motivate them to take an active role in managing their health.”
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: An Often Underestimated Risk
More than 425 million people worldwide have diabetes—and about 212 million of them remain undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. This metabolic disorder not only leads to significant limitations in daily life but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people without diabetes.
Heart failure is a particularly dangerous complication of diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. It is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions in Germany. In addition, diabetes can significantly shorten life expectancy: For a 60-year-old patient, life expectancy is reduced by up to six years compared to a healthy person of the same age. If other factors such as a heart attack or stroke are added to the mix, life expectancy can drop by as much as 12 years.
The Kidneys: An Often Underestimated Target
In medical practice, it is often underestimated that metabolic, heart, and kidney diseases are closely interlinked. Obesity and type 2 diabetes damage not only the heart and blood vessels but also the kidneys. Studies show that people with diabetes have a six-fold higher risk of developing kidney disease, including kidney failure, than people without diabetes. Many patients die from cardiovascular causes as the disease progresses. The combination of diabetes and chronic kidney disease, in particular, is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Campaign
Goal: Education and Awareness
The nationwide initiative “Herzenssache Lebenszeit” addresses this very issue: Experts share important information through direct interaction and promote risk awareness among the general public. Those who know their individual risk and take targeted action through diet and exercise can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, thereby not only extending their lifespan but also improving their quality of life.