Sopkard – a modern Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Program, is based on the latest diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the major European associations (European Society of Cardiology, European Society of Hypertension, European Arteriosclerosis Society). The Swedish example (Vastmanland – the Univeristy of Uppsala) and the state-of-the-art diagnostic standards served as the bases for the creation of a model prevention program focusing on the early detection of the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and hypercholesterolemia. The realization of this program is possible thanks to an effective cooperation with the Chair of Hypertension and Diabetology of Gdańsk Medical University, the Gdańsk Branch of PTNT (Polish Society of Hypertension), Sopot City Hall and Sopot healthcare institutions.
30-, 40-, 50- and 60 years old inhabitants of Sopot are invited for medical visits to the Medical Prevention Office which comprise:
- blood pressure measurements, the evaluation of body weight and type of obesity, if any;
- the interpretation of tests conducted prior to the visit, such as measurements of total blood cholesterol level and the levels of HDL-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol and triglycerids.
- the interpretation of blood glucose level tests conducted prior to the visit;
- questionnaires comprising a patient’s lifestyle analysis, their knowledge about the methods of cardiovascular disease prevention, medical history of a patient and their family;
- educational conversation and materials;
- psychometric tests towards depression and social support level.
Should any irregularities be noticed, the next stages of the program are implemented:
- the evaluation of the global cardiovascular risk;
- home blood pressure monitoring in case of patients with suspected hypertension;
- additional laboratory tests in case of patients with suspected diabetes (the second blood glucose level test or a glucose load test)in order to conduct complete diagnostics of carbohydrate disorders;
- medical examinations in case of patients with a recently diagnosed hypertension, glucose tolerance impairment, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia.
