On World Heart Day 2022, Neha Rastogi, Founder, and COO, Agatsa highlights that in India, CVD has emerged as a serious threat to its health systems. Western countries’ knowledge of CVD reduction strategies can provide an opportunity to combat the epidemic in India
Increasing awareness of cardiovascular disease and its associated risks reduces the likelihood that the population will be exposed to it, thereby reducing the number of CVD’S related deaths. Every disease can be prevented, detected, and treated with awareness. When one is aware of the disease, they can take preventive steps, such as going proactively for screenings and tests, and tend to reduce its harmful effects.
It is estimated that 63 per cent of India’s deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases, of which 27 per cent are caused by cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, CVDs account for 45 per cent of deaths among people aged 40 to 69. Symptoms of the disease include high blood pressure, chest pain, and difficulty breathing for those at a high risk. Heart incidents in India are at such an alarming rate that creating awareness is essential. Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles are major contributors to CVDs. CVD cases in India are also increasing due to unhealthy food consumption, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
Furthermore, COVID-19 has accelerated the risk of CVD. Hereby sharing some ways to create awareness about a dangerous disease that has taken millions of lives –
Conducting seminars and workshops on CPR – The number of people who die of a heart attack outside of a hospital is 8 out of 10. When CPR is performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, these numbers can be reduced. An emergency procedure to save a person’s life when the heart stops beating. Paramedics and physicians can also conduct workshops and seminars to save thousands of lives outside hospitals.
Encouraging regular screening – It is also common for people suffering from heart disease to be ignorant. In most cases, the symptoms are unrecognised but fatal. Risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure are the warning signals of cardiac arrest. Motivating one another to not ignore rather pushing for regular screening can help in declining the death ratio associated with CVDs.
Maintain fitness – The single most reason for an increase in heart attacks in epidemic proportions is lack of physical activity. Sitting for prolonged hours without indulging in any physical activity increases the risk of heart attacks. Thus, it is advisable to include some fitness exercises in a day. Try to maintain a routine of going for a walk for at least 30 minutes.
In India, CVD has emerged as a serious threat to its health systems. Western countries’ knowledge of CVD reduction strategies can provide an opportunity to combat the epidemic in India. There has been a decline in cardiovascular mortality in these countries due to changes in common risk factors and medical therapies at the population level, with more than half of the mortality reduction attributed to changes in tobacco use, cholesterol, and blood pressure at the population level. To support the awareness of heart disease, the United States celebrates National Wear Red Day. Our country can embark on similar initiatives to create awareness.