The Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of premature deaths in worldwide since 1900. According to World Heart Federation, 17.3 million deaths occur due to CVD each year, this represents 30 per cent of global deaths and accounts for nearly half of the 36 million Non-Communicable Diseases deaths annually.
The numbers are rising, By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually. More than 60 per cent of the global burden of Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD) occurs in developing countries. It occupies 3rd place in loss of Disability Adjusted life Years (DAlYs) (5.3 per cent) due to CHD in women aged 15 years and above. Almost 20 to 29 DAlYs lost per 1000 population in India.
According to NCMH burden of diseases India 2005 says cases of CVD may increase from about 2.9 crore in 2000 to as many as 6.4 crore in 2015. Previously thought that CAD was a man’s disease, but now realize that more women die of a cardiac event than men.
At least 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled by adopting healthy life style. Majority of the victims were dying during the first minute and first hour after the onset of symptoms, so education and early recognition of risk factors, signs & symptom of CVD are important preventive strategies which may decrease the morbidity and mortality caused by CVD prevalence. The latest figures complied by the GVKEMRI-108 service clearly highlighted that the maximum number of cardiac related emergencies were handled in Dehradun district since its launching in the State.
Quitting tobacco use, lower blood cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (lDl – Cholesterol), make healthy food choices, physically active, reduce body mass index, waist hip ratio/waist circumference, lower blood pressure, control hyperglycemia and take anti platelet therapy when necessary etc. are among the main factors for the prevention of CVD among the healthy individuals.
Shockingly, children are also vulnerable too in terms of falling prey to CVD and the risk for cardiovascular disease can begin before birth during fetal development, and increase further during childhood with exposure to unhealthy diets, lack of exercise and smoking.
In an exclusive interaction with The Pioneer, Manish Tinkoo, State Head, GVKEMRI-108 service said that this is an area of interest for EMS providers give a scope for further research. GVK EMRI though its protocol based pre-hospital care is able to contribute in timely pre-hospital care of cardiac emergencies; develop capacities among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), doctors, nurses and first responders; create awareness on prevention and positive illness seeking behavior on CVD by appropriate actions at the inter-personal, group and media level IEC activities. He claimed that 108-service is having full stock of life saving drugs and fully capable to handle any kind of medical emergencies in any part of the State.