Sourabh Agrawal, Sr. Vice President, Lupin emphasises that on World Heart Day, lets collaborate to Tone@40, drive innovation and commit to public health, and pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous future for all Indians
Do you know what is the leading cause of death among Indians?
It indeed is ischaemic heart disease, the most common form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a condition in which the heart does not get sufficient oxygen owing to narrowed arteries. Aggravated by factors such as unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased blood cholesterol levels. CVD accounts for nearly half of all non-communicable disease (NCD) deaths in the country.
One in three adults in the age group of 40-49 are at increased risk for heart disease, however the good news is that many CVD risk factors are in our control and completely reversible – it thus becomes crucial to focus on a multifaceted approach that encompasses both education and access to preventive cardiac care. Healthcare professionals are today urging Indians to Tone@40 to transform India into a heart-healthy nation once again, offering hope and optimism for a healthier future.
Addressing the challenges in cardiovascular care
The traditional cardiac care models in India often face limitations regarding accessibility, affordability, and scalability. For starters, inadequate healthcare facilities in rural areas result in delayed diagnoses and inadequate disease management. Then, the excessive cost of heart surgery and treatment places a significant financial burden on individuals and families. Even though public and private entities in the country fund cardiac care, it is a minuscule effort compared to the large-scale requirements of the population for whom affordability is a big concern. The issue of affordability is highlighted by the National Family Health Survey of 2021, which reveals that despite progress 30 per cent of the population still lack any form of financial protection, leading to financial hardships.
The scale and extent of the disease burden further compounds accessibility and affordability. A paper published in Disease Control Priorities highlights that despite wide heterogeneity in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors across different regions, CVD has emerged as the leading cause of death in all parts of India, including poorer states and rural areas, putting the unequivocal focus on prevention and early detection to counter the epidemic.
Harnessing the power of education in cardiovascular care
Education plays a vital role in promoting heart health and preventing the early onset of CVD. One effective strategy is to increase awareness of the harmful effects of prevalent factors that lead to CVD and focus on corrective initiatives such as increasing physical activity and promoting healthier dietary habits. An early intervention in physical health can foster a generation of well-informed and proactive youngsters in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. Implementing education and awareness programs on heart health at school and college levels can deepen youngsters’ understanding of the challenges and solutions in cardiovascular health. Some of the preventive measures that the youth could be educated about are the threats of obesity, stress, sedentary lifestyles, etc. By investing in activities such as team sports, dance classes, outdoor recreation, fitness challenges and events, educational institutions can motivate students to stay active and physically healthy.
Education is not limited to preventive measures alone. Post-diagnosis or detection, when a patient is identified as having CVD or being at risk, they can be introduced to cardiac rehabilitation programs and suggested changes in their daily activities. These programs involve exercise training, emotional support, and education on living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Improving affordability and accessibility in cardiovascular care
The country needs to enhance access to care for early detection and prevention to reduce the financial burden of CVDs on individuals and the healthcare system. One of the easiest and economically feasible methods of early detection is the use of blood tests. Regular blood tests can determine potential heart health concerns such as cholesterol levels, glucose levels, triglycerides, presence of troponin, etc. early on, allowing patients to take quick, corrective actions.
India’s cardiac care system can benefit from upgrading its infrastructure through vital technological advancements. Utilising echocardiogram (ECG), and stress test facilities, alongside AI-powered solutions, can revolutionise diagnosis and treatment. These technological advancements offer reassurance and confidence in the potential for improved cardiac care in India.
The adage’ prevention is better than cure’ could not hold truer in the realm of cardiac care, and people must adopt a lifestyle that addresses and reduces potential risk factors of CVDs. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 38 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women continue to use tobacco, while 18.8 per cent of men and 1.3 per cent of women engage in alcohol consumption. Additionally, 7.2 per cent of men and 6.3 per cent of women exhibit high blood glucose levels, and both men and women have seen a 4 per cent increase in obesity rates. By incorporating measures for preventive care and lifestyle modification programs, we can effectively tackle these risk factors and reduce the likelihood of CVD within the Indian population.
Moving forward, a heart-healthy generation will need a seamless integration of diverse measures and interventions such as basic education, prevention strategies, adoption of a healthy lifestyle, improved access to cardiac care, technological interventions, and policy reforms. On World Heart Day, lets collaborate to Tone@40, drive innovation and commit to public health, and pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous future for all Indians.
References:
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11046362/
2 Health Insurance for India – Missing Middle Class
3 Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in India: Current Epidemiology and Future Directions