Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top most cause of deaths globally; more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause, said Dr Azhar Awan, Consultant Cardiologist at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital while talking to a group of journalists visiting the hospital.
Dr Awan further said that an estimated 17.7 million people died from CVDs last year, representing 31% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.4 million were due to coronary heart disease and 6.7 million due to heart stroke. The deaths by cardiovascular diseases in Pakistan have reached about 200,000 per year, he said.
“To decrease the deaths due to heart diseases in Pakistan, there is a dire need to create more awareness and understanding among the general public on primary prevention of heart-related issues”, said Dr Awan. He said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), people in low and middle-income countries are affected most and account for 80% of CVDs deaths.
Dr. Azhar said, “Important and most-prevalent risk factors for CVDs are physical inactivity, high obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, unhealthy diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. Other determinants of CVDs include poverty, stress and hereditary factors. It is alarming that around 33% of Pakistani population above the age of 45 has hypertension. It is also not true that it can only affect men because one third of women also die from heart diseases every year however, many remain unaware of the risk and the necessary steps needed to reduce the risk.”
He further said, “More often, symptoms of heart diseases are insidious and not always classic, at times unexplained fatigue and getting breathless on minimal exertion could be a sign of underlying heart problems. Sometimes, most people do not take their symptoms seriously and it is also our natural tendency to not act on them in the hope that they will just go away, which could be dangerous”. Dr Awan also talked about protecting the health of heart by adopting healthy lifestyle. “To engage in physical activity or brisk walk for at least 30 minutes three to five times a week is beneficial to help reduce heart attacks and strokes. Eating fruit, fish, nuts, vegetables, healthy oils, and limiting salt also help to prevent CVDs. One should avoid unhealthy drinks, butter and margarine for better heart health,” he said.
Talking about heart related services at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Dr Awan informed, “Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital is well equipped to diagnose CVDs and it has 2D echo, transesophageal echo, exercise stress testing, coronary CT and MIBI scans.
In his message to the public, Dr Azhar said, “Other institutions and communities should create more awareness among the public about CVDs and its preventive measures. Comprehensive tobacco-control policies should also be formulated and implemented across the country along with the measures to encourage masses for healthy physical activities such as exercise and sports. If one observes any symptom of heart disease, he/she should immediately consult the doctor and start taking prescribed medication along with preventive measures.”
Published in Daily Times, September 29th 2018.
