Heart Disease Claims 20,000 Lives in Kyrgyzstan Each Year, Doctors Warn

Myskal Duishenalieva, head of the Arterial Hypertension Department at the National Center of Cardiology and Therapy, has said that about 20,000 people in Kyrgyzstan die from heart disease annually.

Cardiovascular diseases - including heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death - remain the country’s leading cause of death, accounting for over 52 per cent of all illnesses, the specialist said, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Duishenalieva noted that many people ignore heart-related risks because the symptoms often go unnoticed.

“High blood sugar doesn’t hurt, high cholesterol doesn’t hurt, smokers enjoy smoking, unhealthy food tastes good, and no one wants to exercise,” she said. “But prevention is crucial - and it’s good that more attention is being paid to it, especially to excessive salt consumption.”

The Ministry of Health is working to reduce the high cardiovascular mortality rate through awareness campaigns, preventive screenings, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Doctors urge citizens to monitor their blood pressure, maintain a balanced diet, and stay active to protect their hearts.