Daiichi Sankyo Europe (DSE) recently attended the annual European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in London, convening with world-renowned health experts to discuss how we can collectively transform patient care and advance the field of cardiovascular health. It was an inspiring and insightful event, and a true reminder that collaboration, partnership, and knowledge exchange between different professions is pivotal for shaping the future of cardiovascular care and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
This year’s “Spotlight” was Personalising Cardiovascular Care; recognising the idea that no single approach to improving cardiovascular health works for everybody. This deeply echoes our own belief that the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
For the first time ever, we invited three holistic health experts to the Daiichi Sankyo booth to share their expertise around why the mind, body, and nutrition matters in cardiovascular care. Read on for some of the key takeaways from their ‘Holistic Heart Health’ presentations.
Why mental health matters in cardiovascular care
Psychologist, fitness trainer, and specialist in holistic health, Claudia Garbrecht, shared her thoughts on how mental health can have a direct impact on heart health.
Claudia explained that mental health – a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their potential, and contribute to society in a positive way – can play a key role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD).1 Poor mental health can also contribute to a lack of treatment adherence as well as poor lifestyle choices that may further impact a person’s physical health and well-being.2
There are measures that can be taken which may help improve mental health and therefore potentially reduce CVD risk:
- Practicing mindfulness techniques, including meditation and gratitude, have been shown to improve mental health and have been associated with a lower likelihood of having cardiovascular risk factors.3
- Positive lifestyle changes such as regular exercise can be effective tools for improving mental health.4 In addition, exercise alone has been shown to directly reduce the risk of CVD by reducing risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.5
- Speaking to a relevant healthcare professional to help develop healthy stress management strategies and/or seeking psychotherapy has also been shown to have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.6
How to find a realistic exercise routine for patients with CVD
Sports scientist, Klara Fuchs, shared her perspectives on the importance of encouraging patients to change their mindset when it comes to exercise and fitness, and provided her top tips for creating a realistic and personalised exercise routine.
Klara explained that first and foremost, the key to improving heart health is education. It is not enough to say, “Change your lifestyle” or “Eat less and exercise more” – a lot of people may not know “how” to exercise or eat “healthier”.
When it comes to physical fitness specifically, exercise can have a huge impact on quality of life. Workouts do not need to be long or high intensity for them to have a profound and lasting impact. Adopting a simple daily routine that fits into your lifestyle is a way to gradually improve physical fitness and prevent cardiovascular disease.
“It’s always better to do something than to do nothing!”
Let’s talk about food: why nutrition must be the cornerstone of CV care
Dr. Thomas Butler, a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Health, explained that nutrition has a central role in cardiovascular disease and believes that some of the greatest improvements in cardiovascular outcomes are seen when patients are provided with guidance around food and diet.
There is a large body of evidence advocating for the role of the Mediterranean Diet (built around vegetables and fruits, nuts, legumes, and unrefined cereals, with modest amounts of fish and shellfish, and fermented dairy products), however, additional approaches should also be considered based on an individual’s preferences and any comorbidities.7,8 Dr. Butler highlighted that particular diets such as low-carbohydrate and plant-based diets can be very nutritious; although, they can be poor in quality if not planned appropriately.
Dr. Butler also explained that it’s important for people living with – or at risk of – cardiovascular disease, to work with a nutrition specialist to create a flexible dietary approach, being mindful of dietary preferences and other comorbidities that may lead them to stop following their dietary plan.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is important for holistic care
The ESC Congress was an important reminder that interprofessional collaboration (including clinicians and halo health-related professionals) and the adoption of a holistic mindset is fundamental to improving cardiovascular disease across Europe.
If you’re interested in hearing more from our halo health-related professionals, read our Future of Heart Health in Europe: Holistic Care Think Tank Report and watch our expert videos in our magazine section.
