These are the 7 Most Common Chronic Illnesses in Puerto Ricans

las chronic diseases They are of long duration and progress slowly. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, 41 million people die each year from these conditions, which is equivalent to 71 percent of all deaths in the world.

Its origin may be due to a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors. Currently, the most common diseases worldwide are cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and diabetes.

In Puerto Rico The panorama is similar, because according to the most recent report of health DepartmentHeart diseases are the most prevalent and are the main cause of mortality on the island, followed by cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cerebrovascular problems, asthma and arthritis.

The prevalence of these conditions can vary by gender and age groups, however, according to statistics health DepartmentFrom 2013 to the present, the diseases described above remain the most common Puerto Rican Population,

heart disease

The American Heart Association indicates that Puerto RicoHeart disease is the leading cause of death, and it has many associated risk conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and harmful lifestyles, that can be prevented or controlled.

Antonio Orraca, a member of the board of directors of the Puerto Rican Society of Cardiology, heart problems include valvular conditions, most often aortic stenosis, which occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows.

“In addition to aging, there are other long-term conditions that alter the structure of the heart and consequently affect the valves, some of them being: high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and alcohol abuse,” he wrote in the Journal of Medicine and Public Health. told. ,

For the year 2018, it was estimated that approximately five thousand Puerto Ricans died annually as a result of heart disease, surpassing the incidence of cancer and other conditions, according to the Puerto Rican Statistics Institute. Puerto Ricoand averages have been maintained in recent years, affecting both for men as women,

As a result of such situations, a total of 154 for men Y126 women Every 100,000 inhabitants on the island die, mostly residents of the municipalities of Ponce, Mayaguez, Fajardo, Cabo Rojo, Rincón, Vieques and Culebra.

Historical data for 2014 showed that, in general terms, the prevalence of heart attacks was higher in India for men Those 65 and older, however, have seen an increase in the 55-64 age group.

cancer (malignant tumor)

According to hematologist-oncologist Veronica Vestal Vargas of the University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the most common types of cancer are prostate, breast, colorectal, lung and thyroid cancers. Puerto Rico,

According to data from the Central Cancer Registry, the median age at diagnosis of cancer is 66 years and the group with the highest prevalence is 65 to 79 years, followed by 50 to 64 years. In children, the incidence is 1%.

In addition, it indicates that the most common type of cancer women They are breast cancer with 28.9%, being the most commonly diagnosed in this group, followed by colon and rectal cancer with a prevalence of 11.2% and thyroid cancer with a prevalence of 11%.

In for menLung and bronchial cancer accounts for 5.6%, with prostate cancer being the most commonly diagnosed for menwith 37.7%, and colon and rectal cancer, with 12%.

It is difficult to find out the reasons why a person has cancer. However, for radiation oncologist Dr. Roberto Santiago, there are factors that increase the risk of developing cancer throughout life; these are some:

• obesity

• high fat, low fiber diet

• excessive alcohol and tobacco use

• Human papilloma virus (HPV)

diabetes

about diabetes, health Department reported that 2 out of every 13 adults in India Puerto Rico They live with condition. During 2020, it was observed that the prevalence of diabetes increases in older age, with the most affected group being 65 years of age or older (38.0%).

Also, during the year 2020 it was reported that there were at least 32 million people living with diabetes in Latin America and the Caribbean; and it turned out that the countries with the highest prevalence were Mexico, Haiti and Puerto Rico and less in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Uruguay.

In this regard, Dr. Leticia Hernández, president of the Puerto Rican Society of Endocrinology and Diabetology, emphasizes that “we have an extremely high prevalence of diabetes at 16% Puerto Rico And we can’t reduce it. In addition, patients living with the condition are at risk of a number of complications at the cardiovascular, neurological and renal levels, which affect their quality of life.”

For his part, Dr. Luis Ruiz, an endocrinologist, noted that “diabetes is the third cause of death. Puerto Rico,

Alzheimer’s

The condition includes a cluster of symptoms including memory loss, language problems, mood swings, and deficits in thinking and reasoning that interfere with activities of daily living. It is the most common form of dementia and affects more than 6 million people in the United States.

At present, it is estimated Puerto Rico About 60 thousand people suffer from this condition and unfortunately, it ranks fourth among the most common causes of death in the country.

55% of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 85, and about 65% of these people are womenAccording to the data published by, health Department of Puerto Rico,

cerebrovascular attack

About 80% of strokes are preventable, however, the statistics of this condition remain very alarming worldwide, as one person dies of the disease every 6 seconds in the world.

death rate in Puerto Rico fluctuates from 12.9 to 50.3 per 100,000 inhabitants and presents a similar spread for men You womenaccording to the report of chronic diseases of health Department,

According to the Mayo Clinic Portal, stroke prevention strategies are similar to heart disease prevention strategies.

In general, recommendations for a healthy lifestyle include: controlling high blood pressure (hypertension), reducing cholesterol and saturated fat, quitting smoking, managing diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly. To treat and treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Asma

In Puerto Rican Population A high incidence of asthma has been detected, as studies suggest that around 430,000 people suffer from the condition. In addition, it should be noted that the cases recorded on the island have suggested that this pathology develops in patients with a more severe form.

Historically, asthma has had a similar prevalence for men You womenHowever, it often occurs at a young age. report of health Department indicates that in the age distribution for the year 2014, the groups showing a reduction in asthma prevalence were those between 18 and 24 with a reduction of 3.2% and the group 55 to 64 years with a reduction of 1.1%.

gout

Most prevalent rheumatic condition in Puerto Rico Regarding osteoarthritis, Dr. Oscar Soto Rices, President of the FER Rheumatic Disease Foundation, indicated that “Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that we can all suffer from at some point, as it is the result of normal wear and tear over time.” With tearing of the joints, it is associated with age.

Rheumatic diseases as a group of conditions that encompass more than 200 types of conditions and which for the most part affect the musculoskeletal system.

The second most common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. It is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory and systemic condition that can affect children and older adults, but is more common in middle-aged people.

“This is the type of arthritis where inflammation in a joint can cause rapid tissue destruction, therefore, that joint can become damaged, causing deformity, which means that can translate into loss of movement and inability, ” he explained. Dr Soto.

The figures were taken from reports chronic diseases and sickness health Department of Puerto Rico,