Heartrending statistics prompt battle against cardiac diseases

Heartrending statistics prompt battle against cardiac diseases
LEANDRE D'SOUZA

MUMBAI, SEPT 23: Derek Lawrence underwent four bypasses but it didn't deter him from continuing to smoke three packets of cigarettes everyday. As a result, his body fluids were unable to flush out pollutants. His body clock finally failed him and Derek was bedridden with a carcinogenic disease. Family members bid him farewell proceeding the burial ceremony -- Derek had suffered a heart attack the night before that final hour.

Raj Sharma had high blood pressure and his stress levels would exceed to unprecedented levels. Dismissing the doctor's plaints that he ought to take precaution, he returned to his village. On the way, he had severe chest pains. The local doctor asked Raj's family to admit him to the nearest ICU which was 40 kms away. En route, Raj had a cardiac arrest.

Rising blood pressure, fluctuating heart rates, white-bagged corpses flung into the death cell, the world is sitting on a timebomb waiting to explode. Realising the enormity of the existing scenario, the World Health Organisation has declared a World Health Day on September 24 -- the start of a battle against heart diseases, in conjunction with representatives from 28 countries.

The mortality rates compiled by WHO and the World Health Federation are based on the study of the number of deaths linked to cardiovascular ailments from the year 1985-2000. In '85, per 100,000 people, 145 males and 126 females died of heart-related diseases. In the year 2000, the figures tripled, with 253 males and 204 females. Studies prophesised the number of deaths in 2015, revealing that 295 males and 239 females would die from the number one killer: heart attack.

The All India Heart Foundation and the Cardiological Society of India is determined to lash out at the widespread disease that is claiming thousands all over the country. Mumbai has organised a full-fledged campaign against cardiovascular diseases. Cardiologists taking part in the strife for a better tomorrow have organised camps in several pockets within the city where citizens are entitled to a free heart check up. Lectures adressing the issue and discussing ways to counter the disease through effective implementation of healthy lifestyles, walks to instill the need for exercise, have been charted on the agenda for the next week.

Dr V T Shah, a Jaslok Hospital cardiologist, recollects from a WHO study: "Following in-depth research and analysis in the occidental world, it was discovered that Indians living abroad were more prone to heart ailments than the locals." The detection triggered off the realisation that a separate study was needed for South East Asia and India. Evidence proved that those residing in developing countries showed a greater vulnerability towards heart ailments. And so came the universal declaration.

WHO has decided to invest energy and resources into promoting awareness of the prevention and intervention upon detection. Dr Nandkumar of Hinduja Hospital lists the factors that attribute to heart diseases. "There are congenital, rheumatic, coronary and genetic factors. Though there is an increase in awareness, the age of those prone to the disease has decreased due to the change in lifestyle," he regrets. The evils of globalisation have come to the fore as people from the higher socio-economic strata are lured by vices like smoking and drinking, along with added cholestrol levels.

There has been a three-fold increase in the number of operations from a meagre figure of 6,000, 15 years ago, to a sky-scraping 40,000 operations performed per year. Similarly, the number of angioplasties have catapulted from next to zilch to 30-40,000 per annum. Dr S Sharma, cardiologist, Bombay Hospital says, "there are more bypass counters and open heart surgeries performed in Maharashtra."

And while the picture appears perfect for the middle-class Mumbaikar, reality is bitter for those who belong to the bottom-rung of the capitalist ladder. Dr Shah reveals that "there is a marked difference between private and public sector hospitals where treatment, medical supplies and equipment is concerned." Dr Sharma declares: "It's the same with every disease. There is no uniformity. A great deal needs to be done with regards to distribution of resources and personnel."

Seema Mulchandani had a perfect life. At 30, she was married with a child. However, severe chest pains led her to consult a cardiologist. Investigation revealed that she had multiple blockages. Proceeding an angioplasty, Seema has returned home.

India is lagging behind the Western world where the maintenance of records is concerned. If a heart patient suffers from an attack outside a hospital, it's not added to hospital records. "We are unaware of the thousands who die of attacks because it's not recorded," laments a concerned Dr Sharma. In spite of all the pitfalls, the world has taken a gigantic step and has struck a positive note to rectify the detiorating situation. Programmes, proposals and goals will be sketched out for the next World Heart Day in 2001.