Heart disease risk on rise in women due to drinking, smoking: Docs

Lucknow: Dr Nirdesh Jain, a cardiologist from Jhansi, highlighted that cardiologists are observing an increased risk of heart disease in women due to the rising consumption of alcohol and smoking. Traditionally, women were protected from heart diseases due to natural hormonal advantages. However, with lifestyle changes, especially among women under 40, the risk of heart disease has been increasing.Dr Anita Saxena from AIIMS Delhi emphasised that women with congenital heart disease who want to conceive must consult with a cardiologist before conception. In women with pre-existing heart conditions, pregnancy-related changes in the body. Without proper management, this can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the baby, including the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, or even maternal death. A cardiologist can assess the severity of the congenital heart defect, monitor cardiovascular health throughout the pregnancy, and provide advice on medications, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate care to reduce these risks. Ignoring professional advice could lead to serious complications. Dr Justin Paul from Madras Medical College discussed the significant contribution of heart disease to maternal mortality. In Tamil Nadu, 9.6% of maternal deaths in 2022-2023 were due to heart disease. Nationally, heart disease was a leading cause of maternal deaths, with about 35,000 cases annually until 2017. He stressed the importance of early detection, pre-pregnancy counseling, and the management of risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes to reduce maternal deaths. He emphasised the need for improved healthcare policies, training, and lifestyle modifications to help prevent heart disease-related maternal deaths. To improve maternal health, Prof Satyendra Tiwari from SGIMPS suggested the inclusion of cardiology-obstetrics specialisation in medical education. This initiative is expected to reduce maternal mortality rates by addressing heart disease as a major factor contributing to maternal deaths. Dr Rupali Khanna, a cardiologist at PGI, highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting heart diseases. AI is enhancing the accuracy of imaging systems, including echocardiograms, CT scans, and MRIs. It helps detect coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias more quickly.
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