Bhopal, Date: Recent studies indicate that India has the highest burden of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the world. ACS is a term that describes a range of conditions that cause sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart such as a heart attack. On World Heart Day, there is a need to raise awareness on timely prevention and management of this condition, more so because the three common risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Indian patients with ACS also have a higher rate ofST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) at 61% as compared to those in other parts of the world. It is imperative to therefore ensure that people with obvious risk factors and family history of the condition make lifestyle changes at the earliest.
Speaking about this, Dr Skand Trivedi, Head of the Department, Cardiology, Bansal Hospital, Bhopal, said, “It has been established through various studies that people living in the urban areas of India have a tendency of getting atherosclerosis (a condition in which plaque builds up on arterial walls). This is because they have a high prevalence ofdominant risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol levels, sedentary lifestyles, and even family history of heart diseases. The need of the hour is to understand that prevention is the first step towards avoiding complications like acute coronary syndrome (ACS). When not managed in a timely manner, it can even lead to a heart attack or heart failure due to sudden reduced blood flow.”
ACS also accounts for about 30% of hospital admissions in people with heart diseases. The risk is increasing among younger adults especially due to the lifestyles they lead.
Adding further, Dr Trivedi, said, “Heart-healthy lifestyle is a very important consideration today especially among youngsters. They must be guided on the need to consume a balanced diet, avoiding processed food, and limiting or avoiding smoking and drinking. In people with complications, the goal of treatment includes improving overall heart function, and lowering the risk of a heart attack.”
While medications can work in some people, in those with complications, other procedures such as angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery may be needed. In angioplasty, a long, thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the narrowed part of the artery. A wirewith a deflated balloon is then passed through the catheter to the narrowed area. The balloonis inflated, compressing the deposits against the artery walls. A stent is often left in the artery.Most stents release medication to help keep the arteries open, known as drug eluting stents. In a bypass, the surgeon creates agraft to bypass blocked coronary arteries using a vessel from another part of the body. Thisallows blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed coronary artery.
Some tips to prevent and manage ACS
• Avoid smoking and consult a specialist in case you have trouble in quitting the habit. Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of low-fat dairy and lean meats.
• Stay active by doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
• Check your vital signs such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure and sugar. This is more important if you have a family risk for such conditions.
• Maintain a healthy weight as this will reduce the likelihood of associated health complications.
• Manage stress and undertake activities that help you relax and unwind.
- Ends -
Disclaimer: “Any and all the Information provided in the article are independent views expressed by Dr Skand Trivedi, Head of the Department, Cardiology, Bansal Hospital, Bhopal for general overview and educational purposes only