Cardiovascular disease: Jharkhand’s silent killer

RANCHI: Despite national and global concern about rising trend of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), Jharkhand lacks data in this regard. Civil surgeon Ranchi Dr Prabhat Kumar said, “We track various health parameters but not particularly CVDs.

Such data has to be collected and processed to understand the trend and say with surety if there's a rise in the number of CVDs."

Unhealthy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and lack of physical activity contribute to this alarming trend. Experts emphasize the importance of managing risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking to reduce the burden of CVDs.

Dr Dhanjanay Kumar, a cardiologist at Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Superspeciality Hospital, said, "We need to prioritise early detection. Blood vessels can become blocked, leading to a heart attack. If an artery is blocked by 90% or completely, the likelihood of death increases significantly. During the first heart attack, the risk of death depends on the extent of the damage caused."

Health minister Banna Gupta said, " We are implementing awareness campaigns to educate the public about heart health, enhancing cardiac care facilities for better treatment, and providing training for medical professionals."

CK Birla hospitals has published a report titled ‘Every Beat Counts’ on the status of CVDs in the country. It said CVDs caused around 20.5 million deaths in 2023 globally, accounting for 25-30% of all fatalities, with a higher mortality rate of 45%-50% among individuals aged 40-70, In India, CVDs account for 24.5% of deaths, with coronary artery disease being the primary cause, followed by strokes, rhythm disorders, and heart failure.

Dr Surendra Kumar of Rims said, "When weather change, around 20% of cases increase in heart problem, largely attributed to uncontrolled blood pressure during extreme heat and cold." To improve cardiac care, Sadar Hospital plans to upgrade its cardiac care unit and paediatrics department. The civil surgeon stated, "Key risk factors for heart attacks include obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and stress."

To maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, experts recommend a balanced diet low in sodium, carbohydrates, and saturated fats while increasing potassium, fiber, and polyunsaturated fats. Regular exercise, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of high-intensity activity per week, is crucial. Stress management techniques like yoga and ensuring adequate sleep are also essential for maintaining heart health.

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