Cardiologist Skride: A heart attack can strike even those who feel perfectly healthy

Andris Skride, a professor at Riga Stradiņš University, cardiologist and founder of the Skride Heart Clinic, discussed on the TV24 program "Ārsts atbild" ("The Doctor Answers") why modern medicine is shifting its focus from treating already-diagnosed illness toward predicting health risks before symptoms even appear.

Hidden risks

According to Skride, several serious cardiovascular problems can develop silently over long periods without producing noticeable symptoms. He cited elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, thickening of the heart muscle, and calcification of blood vessels as examples. In such cases, a person may feel completely healthy for years while the underlying condition quietly progresses.

A heart attack without warning

The cardiologist noted that someone who has never previously experienced serious health complaints can suddenly suffer an acute myocardial infarction. Such an event can lead to severe complications, including heart failure or various heart rhythm disorders. He stressed that timely medical assistance can be decisive in these situations.

Beyond lifespan

Skride pointed out that medicine is increasingly focused not only on how long a person lives, but also on how many of those years are lived in good health. In his view, it is important to develop both medical diagnostic tools and lifestyle approaches so that health risks can be identified and addressed as early as possible.