Panel discussion at KPC: Heart ailments claim 288-300 lives daily across country: Dr Fatimi

More than 12 persons die every hour due to heart-related illnesses across country, which means that roughly 288-300 people die daily because of heart attacks and other cardiac-related illnesses, which should be a cause of concern for people and policy-makers in the country.
They said in addition to the common risk factors like smoking, sugar, salt (hypertension) and stress, Pakistanis had a genetic tendency of acquiring heart disease at least 10 years earlier than others and urged people to be extra cautious, exercise daily and eat a balanced diet to live a healthy life.
This was stated by renowned cardiac surgeon and specialist Dr Saulat Fatimi while speaking at a panel discussion held at Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Tuesday.
The panel discussion and a medical screening camp was organized by the Aga Khan University Hospital in collaboration with the Health, Environment and Fitness Committee of Karachi Press Club (KPC) in connection with World Heart Day, which is being observed globally by the end of this week.
Over 200 journalists participated in this camp and the panel discussion while some of the leading doctors and surgeons from Aga Khan University Hospital spoke to journalists including Dr Saulat Fatimi, Service Line Chief, Heart, Lung and Vascular Service Line, Dr Zainab Samad, Chair-Department of Medicine, Cardiologist, Dr Javaid Khan, Pulmonologist, and Dr Yawer Saeed, Assistant Professor, Electro Physiologist at AKUH.
Dr Saulat Fatimi maintained that Pakistani population should take preventive measures and lead a healthy lifestyle and in case a person does show symptoms of heart attack at home, it is best to chew two aspirins as it will control the blood circulation till the time the patient is taken to the hospital.
Dr Javaid said 100,000 people die because of smoking annually in Pakistan as it also leads to other diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
Dr Zainab highlighted the four S's which can cause health problems: Salt, sugar, smoking and stress. "Healthy eating habits can be adopted by adding fruits in your meals and try exercising 3-4 times a week as a practice." These health tips and guidelines shared by the doctors at the Aga Khan University Hospital will be beneficial for our population.
The collaboration with the Press Club Karachi was a great opportunity, and Waqar Bhatti who is the Health Committee Secretary of the Karachi Press Club said.Dr Asim Belgaumi, Chief Medical Officer, AKUH also joined this event and said, "Our Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) speaks for itself, we assure highest standards of quality in healthcare."-PR