The number of people suffering from and dying because of this disease, which demands the use of plenty of material and financial resources that bring about considerable expenses for the national health system, increases every year.

For these reasons, it is essential to sensitize people on the need of self-care as primary method for prevention. This method urges the population to raise awareness as to risk factors and favors healthy practices.

Some statistic data reveals that between 1970 and 1996, this disease was the first cause of death in Cuba and, although there was a significant reduction of deceases from 1997 until 2003, there was a new rise in subsequent years.

The deputy director of the Department of Prevention and Control of Non-commutable Diseases in the eastern province of Granma, Doctor Luis Benitez, affirmed that nowadays, cerebrovascular diseases are gaining space due to the prevalence of epidemiologically associated factors that speed up their appearance.

Benitez explained that hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking habits, alcoholism, sedentariness, obesity, and inappropriate food habits are some of the risk factors; and it is necessary to reduce their incidence.

He recalled that the control and postponement of this disease through the promotion of health and self-care delay death and increase the quality of life of the people, in addition to avoiding suffering and disabilities.

Since the year 2000, the Cuban health system is developing a national program addressed to reducing by 30 per cent deceases as a result of this suffering by 2015.

Benitez noted that they are taking forward primary prevention actions, with numerous initiatives so as to change life styles and increase the active search of risk individuals.

The doctor mentioned that early and right diagnosis of the different clinical ways, with the proper therapeutic approach, as well as timely physical, psychic and social rehabilitation are essential for implementing medical treatments.

That’s the reason why, watching over our daily habits is fundamental to guarantee healthy lives because just like other sufferings, cardiovascular diseases are the perfect model in which prevention benefits surpass the risks.