Karnataka is observing a rise in coronary heart-related deaths as well as the number of patients undergoing angioplasty. Karnataka’s renowned Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Research Centre alone had carried out 10,000 angioplasty procedures in the past year. Mysuru’s Jayadeva Hospital conducted 6,500 angioplasties, and at least 30 % of them were below 40 years of age.

Dr Manjunath CN, Director, Jayadeva Hospitals said that there was a significant increase in the burden of cardiac diseases. Patients were mostly in later stages where surgery was the only option. But few patients identified symptoms and come for medical aid early and they were saved through medication and also angioplasty. Dr Manjunath stated that stress was the main cause of heart diseases among the urban population. Other major factors were heredity; lifestyle and diabetes control, stress and pollution are also contributing to coronary heart disease. In rural areas, along with predisposed heart disease, factors like diabetes, use of tobacco, smoking and alcohol intake were responsible. 

Dr Abhijit Vilas Kulkarni, renowned cardiologist, Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, said that there were three reasons for rising cases of angioplasty: increasing burden of the disease itself, awareness created around the disease and also increase in screening. Private hospitals were conducting about 450 cases per month. He appreciated the government’s budget announcement of mapping cath labs to Jayadeva, which would help especially in rural areas. He further added that Indians, were mostly predisposed to having heart diseases, and smoking was most prevalent in rural areas. 

Dr Abhijit further said that screening in rural areas was less. If Jayadeva maps the requirements, then the government can take care of the financial part. 

Most of the doctors said it was a lack of awareness in rural areas which makes people report the disease in its later stages. They said that coronary heart disease was more common in males, but nowadays even young women who have stress and uncontrolled diabetes are getting affected. However, more males have undergone angioplasty.

Source: The New Indian Express