KOCHI:
The Cardiology sector in the country is facing several challenges with recent reports pointing out an alarming rise of heart disease, opined cardiology experts. This was revealed by five renowned cardiology experts who participated at the seminar in connection with the 68th annual conference of Cardiological Society of India (CSI) being held at Le Meridien Convention Centre.
The Presidents of five major Cardiological Societies of the world said that though the number of cardiology patients are on the rise world-wide, the situation in India is even more alarming. American Heart Association President Prof. Mark Creager said that the increase in diabetes is a major factor in increasing heart disease. Diabetic patients who have high blood pressure and cho
cautioned that the diabetic patients who do not control their sugar will end up with a diseased heart.
World Heart Foundation former President, Dr Salim Yusuf pointed out that cardiac illness is one of the major reasons for death in our country. The number of cardiac patients in Kerala is three times more than that of the national average.
“The lifestyle of people in Kerala had led to more people becoming heart patients. People should reduce carbohydrates and include more fruits in their daily diet for a healthy heart” he opined. He also stressed the importance of regular exercise in preventing heart disease.
When the nature of Cardiac diseases is changing, new cardio vascular technologies are also evolving and gives much hope to the patients, said James Blankenship, President designate of European Society of Cardiology. He talked about newer stents which dissolves in the body and said that wider use of this technology will happen in the future.
European Society of Cardiology President Dr. Jeroen Bax said that newer technologies have been developed for the detection of diseases. But the attitude of the people towards the new technology and methods have to change, he said.
Dr. Mary No
rine, President, American College of Cardiology, said that the majority of the cardiac problems end in heart failure when the heart cannot pump blood and this can cause death. However, in these circumstances there are technologies to make the heart function artificially and a prolong life.
Though these technologies help patients to live an ordinary life, the doubts of the patients regarding the usage of these methods are yet to be cleared. If we are able to clear the doubts, then these treatments will be adopted widely and the number of deaths due to cardiac problems could come down, she suggested.
The CSI annual conference will conclude on December 11. As part of the conference a Yoga session is being conducted for all the delegates by internationally acclaimed yoga teacher Gopinath Edakunny. A marathon to increase awareness among the public regarding the role of exercise in the prevention of Cardio vascular diseases is planned on Dec 10th .
