Coronary artery disease is widely recognised as the number one killer world-wide. It is rapidly increasing in countries like Pakistan, said Dr Fateh Ali Tipoo Sultan, Consultant Cardiologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital.
He was speaking at a Signs, Symptoms and Care' programme on Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery' held at Quetta. His presentation on 'Prevention of Heart Disease' stressed the need for adopting preventive measures to avoid heart diseases, as the treatment is too expensive for most people in Pakistan.
Prevention is possible and not difficult, though one should be aware of the risk factors that can lead to heart diseases: high cholesterol levels, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The golden rule is to follow four simple rules to help prevent any probable coronary disorders: increasing intake of fruits and vegetables in diet and avoiding foods rich in saturated fats and transfats; walking regularly for 30 to 45 minutes daily; cessation of smoking; and regular monitoring of blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels.
Consultant cardiologist from Karachi shared the results of a two-year follow-up study of 277 heart attack patients who had angioplasty at AKUH. It was found that survival rates of heart attack victims after Angioplasty at AKUH was 97.9 per cent, an outcome almost identical to developed countries in the West.AKUH team at the session included Dr Hasanat Sharif, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, who focused on the Advancements in Heart Surgery'.
He described the heart as a pump and said that lack of blood supply during a major cardiac event can cause the affected portion of the heart muscle to die. This can lead to death of the individual or weakening of heart muscle. Hence time in seeking immediate medical attention is of critical importance.
A recent study at AKUH has found that heart attack patients took a median time of 160 minutes to arrive at hospital. This is an unacceptable delay, and there is a need for more educational programmes to ensure that patients suffering from a heart attack recognise their symptoms and come to a hospital as early as possible.