Cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and myocardial infraction, Pulmonary or lung diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide.
The endemic problems of a region beset with financial difficulties and low development indicators can be addressed through relevant research focusing on producing low-cost accessible and innovative solution to solve such health problems.
Hypertension or elevated blood pressure of unknown cause is a major health problem in Pakistan affecting 18 percent of adults over the age of 15 and one out of every three persons over 45. It represents a significant risk for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. While the condition can be traced to genetic causes, environmental factors such as diet, stress and exercise contribute to its development.
This complex interplay of variable factors has so far eluded most attempts at identifying the molecular basis of essential hypertension. While various drugs are available for blood pressure control any one drug is effective in only 50 percent or less of patients indicating a poor match between pharmacological action and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease.
One of the major problems associated with the treatment of hypertension is the lack of an effective determinant for which drugs should be used.
The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with an inherited tendency to develop high blood pressure.
Death from cardiovascular causes is defined as any death for which there was no clearly, documented nonvascular cause. In Myocardial infraction the presence of at least two of the following factors can be seen. Ischemic chest pain; the elevation of the serum levels of cardiac makers or enzymes to at least twice the upper limit of normal within 48 hours.
Stroke was defined as a new focal neurologic deficit vascular origin lasting more than 24 hours. Stroke was further classified as the result of intracranial hemorrhage, ischemia or uncertain cause.
Refractory ischemia is defined as recurrent chest pain lasting more than five minutes with new ischemic electro-cardiographic changes while the patient was receiving optimal medical therapy
It may followed by major bleeding episodes which must be stopped as intravascular bleeding may lead to the loss of vision, or such bleeding necessitates the transfusion of at least 2 units of blood.
Major bleeding is life-threatening as these bleeding episode led to a reduction in the haemoglobin level ultimately leading to death.
PULMONARY OR LUNG DISEASES:
Pulmonary or lung diseases are a common cause of ill health and loss of life in the community. Developing countries like Pakistan have been hit hard by the rising prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), including multi-drug resistant TB and smoking-induced lung diseases. There has also been a world-wide rise in the incedence of other pulmonary diseases such as allergy and asthma.
Understanding the risk factors associated with lung diseases and their management is also necessary. TB, sleep apnea, pulmonary function and pulmonary infections are some of the common diseases of lungs.