`Indians run high risk of heart diseases'

ALLAHABAD: Though swine flu has the entire nation panicking over the disease, cardiovascular diseases are bigger culprit with 50% of the population at risk with heart ailments. Indians are three times more at risk compared to the western population. Today 35% of Indians in the age group of 35 to 64 years are at risk of heart disease as compared to only 12% people in the same age group in the US, said noted cardiologist Dr Naresh Trehan.
Speaking on "Current Status & Future of Cardiology & Cardiac Surgeries,'' he said, "A cardiovascular disease begins with the changes and deposits of the endothelial lining of the artery and leads to blockages that are lethal.Now tests have been developed which can predict the future risk of cardiovascular diseases. Ondex test which measures the velocity of the blood flow in brachial artery would be available in Allahabad too soon. It tells about the impending risk of heart disease. Then we can gauge the risk of heart disease by measuring the thickness in the artery of the neck (intima). If the thickness is about 0.8mm, then the risk is less but if the thickness exceeds more than 1mm then there is a grave risk of a heart ailment. The third test is through multislide CD in which blockages are visible as shadows. More shadows imply higher risk, he informed.
He maintained that prevention is the best cure. Altogether 44% of people could save themselves from a heart problem with intelligent living, ie, change in their lifestyle and eating habits and 47% of the patients could be cured through treatment. "Hence we have a good hope,'' announced Dr Trehan.
In case a cardio-vascular ailment is detected, then initially it can be cured through medicines. In case the blockage is 75% or more, then angioplasty is carried out where a stunt is inserted in the affected area. In extreme cases, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is carried out. In this surgery, under mew techniques, ho heart-lung machine is being used. This reduces the trauma on the heart by half. Also with the latest technique MICS CABG, there is no pain, shorter period in ICU, faster recovery and the scar is much smaller. The patient is back to work in two to three weeks, he added.
Talking about the new techniques in cardiovascular surgery, he said, "in 2002, robotics was introduced where the bypass is carried out without opening the chest. Here the instructions of the surgeon are carried out by the robot with amazing precision. A no-blood surgery, it takes only 15 minutes and the patient can go back home in 48 hours. Also valve repairing and replacement is being carried out in the robotized lab by making a mere hole in the chest and that too on the right side, he said. Amazing isn't it!
The biggest challenge in cardiovascular branch is the heart failure. Though no figures are available for India, it is estimated that there would be atleast 10 million such people in India. He feels that the future holds many possibilities. A combination of pace maker with net (to prevent dilation of heart) and compression device is the future. Also Micromed Debakey devices and stem cell therapy would be able to save many lives.
On stem cell therapy, the adult stem cells are processed and inserted in the damaged area. In case of heart, it made new vessels grow as research in cases operated at San Francisco. There were no complications and all the parameters of the heart showed improvement, he informed.
Dr Trehan stated that the need of the hour is to improve the standards of treatment along with reducing cost. "We are also carrying out researches where we can combine our age-old skills, ayurvedic therapies and the modern procedures in order to establish treatment techniques that are best suitable to the Indians. We also aim to lower the cost of cardiovascular surgeries so that they are in the reach of common man on the streets'' he said.