Regular health checks are needed to maintain heart health

January 15, 2022:

Heart failure is a gradual weakening of the heart muscle that is often confused with a heart attack. People proudly say they have never visited a doctor in their 70 years of life. This common mistake made by the vast majority of people, which could have been treated with small interventions, now results in a delay in diagnosing illnesses that may require surgery. It is estimated that there are about 8 to 10 million heart failure patients in the country with a mortality rate of over 20%. In India, patients are 10 years younger than the world average.

The Times of India’s partnership with Novartis, Beat Heart Failure, aims to disseminate knowledge about heart failure and the key pillars of its management. This campaign is primarily aimed at seeking doctor’s advice on time and educating people about the importance of regular treatment and correct lifestyle changes in the management of heart failure. It focuses on the aspect that heart failure is preventable and treatable.

Anil Vinayak, Group Chief Operating Officer of Fortis Healthcare, said: “Such a public awareness initiative is essential to identify, manage and treat heart failure, which affects just over 1% of India’s population. Cardiology & Cardiovascular Sciences is Fortis Healthcare’s Center of Excellence and a national facility. Specialists provide treatment and care in line with international benchmarks. As knowledge partners in the Beat Heart Failure campaign, they have touched on some of the subtle aspects of heart failure – from medical management to surgical intervention. The focus is on empowering people with easy-to-understand information. “

In this effort, doctors from Fortis Hospital in Noida joined hands to raise awareness-

1.. Dr. Ajay Cowl: Noida, President of Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute

2.2. Dr. Dheeraj Gandotra: Noida, Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute, Cardiology, Additional Director

3.3. Dr. Samir Arora: Director & Head-Cardiac Anesthesia & Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute, Noida

Dr. Cowl He said that the heart is the strongest organ in the body. It beats 80 times a minute in a row for over 80 years without rest. All other organs in the body rest, but the heart is the only muscle that works during sleep. Therefore, it is essential to take care of the heart. One of the most common mistakes many patients make is not seeing a doctor for the rest of their lives. Imagine owning a vehicle almost every year and the amount of service it needs. Similarly, our bodies need constant checks to make sure it works properly. By being tested and treated on time, people will not suffer from heart failure.

Heart failure is the result, but a heart attack is a process of illness when the blood supply to the heart is cut off and not managed on time. Dr. Arora. Heart failure is the terminal stage of all heart disease. Coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart disease do not lead to heart failure if treated on time.

Dr. Gandtra About two more types of heart failure have been added depending on the ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is the amount of blood pumped from the heart. Ejection fraction may be low if you have a history of heart attack or if you have problems with ventricular filling. Valvular heart disease occurs when one of the four valves in the heart is damaged. They are the easiest heart diseases to avoid, but lack of knowledge delays detection and creates multiple hurdles during treatment.

Heart failure is a type of pandemic that is shouted Dr. Gandtra.. In India, the number of patients with heart failure has increased significantly compared to other parts of the world. With timely action, heart failure is 90 percent preventable and treatable. If you feel anxious and feel that your symptoms are like a heart attack, you can immediately go to the nearest health center. Currently, from tertiary care centers to primary care centers, facilities for managing heart attacks are in place and are available in most parts of India. It is important to deal with a heart attack during the golden hour to reduce damage to the heart.

Common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, swelling of the lower extremities, and malaise, which gradually increase as the disease progresses. Patients complain of chest pain or jaw pain that puts pressure on their personality. Patients with a history of diabetes generally do not experience chest pain. Chest pain is a defense mechanism in which a person is seen by the attending physician. One should not ignore heavy chest pain, heavy sweating, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or fluctuations in heart rate. Dr. Cowl He added that if you are infected with Covid19 and have symptoms such as abnormal chest pain, palpitation, orthostatic hypotension, or abnormal malaise, you should not ignore them and see your doctor. ..

Heart failure does not mean the end of life, he said Dr. Arora. There are many advances in medicine and treatment options are evolving. Patients with heart failure can lead an almost normal life with current treatment options. It mainly starts with changes in lifestyle. This includes water restriction, alcohol, coffee and tea restriction, smoking cessation, and management of comorbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Cardiologists suggest surgical options when lifestyle changes and medications do not work. Various cardiac resynchronization therapies (CRTs) or cardiac resynchronization devices Available description Dr. Arora.. CRTs help keep your heartbeat in a regular rhythm by using a pacemaker to restore the typical heartbeat pattern of the heart. LVAD or left ventricular assist device Recommended if you have poor heart function. LVAD can be thought of as an artificial heart. A pump that functions like the heart. This device is connected to an extracorporeal battery. Benefits of LVAD include mobilizing patients without straining the natural heart. Heart transplant It is the last surgical option if nothing else works and it depends on the donor. Excellent results have been seen with heart transplants. However, proper care is required for the drug.

The country’s economic illness burden is already high, and delays in action are exacerbating the situation. However, it states that patients in different economies of medicine and surgery have access to new economic options at very competitive prices. Dr. Cowl.. PM-JAY provides a cover for Rs. Rs 50,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary medical admissions across public and private empowered hospitals in India.

Panel doctors have provided long-standing advice on how to live a healthy life to avoid abnormal food intake, packaged food, and keep untested drugs away. Prevention is the key. Most heart failure can be managed by recognizing it early and initiating treatment and lifestyle changes at the right time. Regular and timely follow-up is essential.

Remember that heart failure does not stop. It’s about starting life in a new way. For more information on how to manage heart failure, please visit https://www.toibeatheartfailure.com/blog. ET HealthWorld