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Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives globally than any other cause therefore cardiac screening is a critical aspect of preventive healthcare that is crucial for not just heart patients but for everyone. The World Health Organisation states that cardiovascular diseases account for 27 per cent of total deaths in India every year, and almost 45 per cent of deaths occur in the 40-69 year age group. However, with the rise in sedentary lifestyles, CVDs have risen among the young population as well, ultimately leading to sudden deaths. With heart diseases being the leading cause of increasing mortality rate in India, it is crucial to prioritise cardiac screening and make it a part of our routine health check-ups. While it is commonly associated with heart patients and those with a family history of heart disease, cardiac screening is essential for everyone.
Why is India Struggling with the Burden of Heart Disease?
The high burden of CVDs in India can be attributed to various factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, genetic predisposition, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco consumption is also high in India, which further increases the burden of CVDs. The youth of the country is sleep deprived due to urbanisation and binge-using gadgets at night, due to which cases of an unhealthy heart and lifestyle are increasing at an alarming rate. Limited access to healthcare and a lack of awareness about risk factors also lead to undiagnosed and unmanaged health conditions, further accelerating the progression of CVD. Moreover, many remote areas are still struggling with the availability of specialist care, and travel requirements make it expensive and time-consuming which is the biggest cause of ignorance of risk factors among the rural population. All these factors directly contribute to severe cardiac problems, ultimately increasing the burden of CVDs in India.
Why is Cardiac Screening Important for Everyone?
Regular cardiac screening plays a crucial role in empowering individuals and fostering a heart-healthy nation and offers the following benefits:
Early Detection: Screening helps doctors assess an individual's overall risk of developing heart disease by considering factors like family history, lifestyle habits, and blood tests. Cardiac screening identifies conditions like silent ischemia, arrhythmias, or heart valve problems. With timely diagnosis and treatment, the chances of recovery are significantly higher, and improves the overall quality of life by preventing complications like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure.
Identification of Underlying Health Conditions: Cardiac screening identifies underlying health conditions that may contribute to heart disease, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. In remote areas, specialists can be consulted via digital tools that encourage timely intervention, affordable care and specialist access. It significantly prevents the development of heart disease and improves overall health.
Preventive Strategies: Based on the risk assessment, specialists can recommend a personalised prevention plan. This might include dietary changes focusing on a traditional Indian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, incorporating regular physical activity like brisk walking or yoga, smoking cessation support if needed, and medication management. By identifying the risk factors and making necessary lifestyle changes, we can reduce the burden of heart disease in India.
Lifestyle Modifications: Knowing your risk profile can be a powerful motivator for adopting healthy habits that are culturally relevant and sustainable in the Indian context. By detecting heart diseases at an early stage, doctors can initiate the appropriate treatment and prevent complications. Moreover, screening can help to monitor the progress of the treatment and adjust it if necessary. This can primarily reduce the risk of hospitalisation.
Empowerment through Knowledge: Understanding your heart health empowers you to take control of your overall well-being. Knowing your risk factors allows you to make informed decisions about lifestyle modifications and other necessary steps. Consulting with specialists regularly, even remote consultation makes a huge difference in managing these conditions. This proactive approach can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease later in life.
How to Take Care of Heart Health?
A heart-healthy diet is essential for maintaining good heart health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good heart health as it helps strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular health.
Stress can have a significant impact on heart health so it is important to manage stress through techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
Getting adequate sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours a night at a scheduled time is important for a healthy heart.
Limiting alcohol consumption and excessive smoking can significantly improve heart health.
Regular heart check-ups like ECG, ECHO, etc. are crucial for maintaining good heart health.
Cardiac screening is an important measure that can help detect heart problems and prevent them from escalating into severe conditions. It is essential for everyone because due to lifestyle modifications, urbanisation and other factors, it is difficult to diagnose a prevailing heart condition without proper screening. Early detection and prevention can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise cardiac screening and make it a part of our routine health check-ups in India.
The author is CEO & Director of Heartnet
