Heart Diseases: What They Are, How to Prevent Them, and Their Impact in Mexico

What Do We Mean by “Heart Diseases”?

The term encompasses several conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart and/or its blood vessels. The most frequent ones are:

Ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease and its manifestations such as acute myocardial infarction).
Heart failure (when the heart cannot pump strongly enough).
Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms, e.g., atrial fibrillation).
Valvular diseases (stenosis or insufficiency of heart valves).
Cerebrovascular disease (stroke), which is closely related to cardiovascular health.

Main Risk Factors

Non-modifiable: age, sex, genetics.
Modifiable: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diets high in ultra-processed foods/salt/sugar, overweight or obesity, harmful alcohol consumption, poor stress and sleep management.

Warning Signs (Seek Immediate Medical Help)

Chest pain or tightness radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw.
Sudden shortness of breath, persistent palpitations, fainting.
Weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking (possible stroke).

How Are They Diagnosed?

Clinical assessment and physical examination.
Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
Biomarkers (e.g., troponins in heart attack).
Stress tests / Holter monitoring.
Advanced imaging (coronary CT scan, diagnostic catheterization) when required.

Treatment (General Overview)

Lifestyle changes: heart-protective diet (Mediterranean-style, rich in vegetables, legumes, and healthy fats), salt reduction, quitting smoking, regular physical activity (150–300 min/week of moderate exercise), stress management and sufficient sleep.
Medications depending on the case: antiplatelets/anticoagulants, statins, antihypertensives, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, diuretics, glucose-lowering drugs with cardiovascular benefit (SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists), among others.
Procedures: stent angioplasty, bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement, pacemakers/defibrillators, arrhythmia ablation.
Cardiac rehabilitation to restore functional capacity and reduce relapses.

The Situation in Mexico (2025 Data)

January–March 2025: A preliminary total of 211,894 deaths were recorded in Mexico. Heart diseases were the leading cause of death, with 51,382 deaths in that quarter; followed by diabetes mellitus (30,578) and malignant tumors (23,678). These figures come from INEGI’s Press Release 125/25 (published September 5, 2025).
2024 Context (full year, preliminary): In 2024, there were 818,437 registered deaths; heart diseases also ranked first with 192,563 deaths throughout the year, followed by diabetes and malignant tumors (INEGI Press Release 117/25, August 8, 2025).

What these figures mean:
2025 confirms the trend of heart diseases as the leading cause of death in the country.
The 2025 data is quarterly and preliminary, serving as a way to monitor annual evolution compared to 2024.

Why So Many Deaths from Heart Diseases?

High prevalence of risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) in the general population.
Late diagnosis and poor control of chronic diseases.
Lifestyles with little physical activity and unhealthy diets.
Inequities in access to prevention, timely care, and rehabilitation.

What Can Be Done (Practical 6-Front Plan)

1. Annual “ABC” Check-ups

Arterial: Blood pressure measurement; general target <130/80 mmHg (per medical advice).
Blood tests/biomarkers: glucose, HbA1c if at risk for diabetes, lipid profile.
Circumference and BMI: monitoring body composition.

2. Weekly Movement

150–300 minutes of moderate activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity + 2 strength days.
Avoid >7–8 hours sitting in a row: micro-breaks every 30–45 minutes.

3. Simple Heart-Protective Diet

Plate: “½ vegetables & fruits + ¼ legumes/whole grains + ¼ lean protein.”
Limit ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and salt (<5 g/day).
Prefer plain water; alcohol, if any, only in strict moderation.

4. Smoking: Zero

No cigarette is “safe.” If you smoke, set a quit date and seek professional help.

5. Sleep and Stress

Sleep 7–9 hours with a regular schedule. Practice stress-management techniques (breathing, mindfulness, psychotherapy if needed).

6. Adherence to Treatment

If you already have a diagnosis, do not stop medications without medical advice.
Ask about therapies with proven cardiovascular benefit (e.g., SGLT2/GLP-1 for diabetics or heart failure).

Public Policy Measures That Help

Strengthen early detection (screening for blood pressure, glucose, and lipids in primary care).
Ensure supply of essential medications and access to cardiac rehabilitation.
Promote healthy environments (spaces for physical activity, clear labeling, regulation of salt and trans fats).
Mass campaigns and sustained education on symptoms of heart attack and stroke to reduce time to treatment.

Conclusion

In 2025, heart diseases remain the leading cause of death in Mexico. Prevention works and is in our hands: detect earlier, treat better, and live healthier lifestyles. The first-quarter figures of 2025 reinforce the urgency to step up both individual and collective efforts to protect Mexico’s heart.