Focus on cardiac health, public told

July 26, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:32 am IST - CHENNAI:

(From left) Mallika Mohandas, chairperson, MIOT Hospitals; V.V. Bashi, chairman, Centre for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Care at the hospital; and P.V.A. Mohandas, founder of the hospital, with a young boy, who was treated at the hospital.—Photo: Special Arrangement

(From left) Mallika Mohandas, chairperson, MIOT Hospitals; V.V. Bashi, chairman, Centre for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Care at the hospital; and P.V.A. Mohandas, founder of the hospital, with a young boy, who was treated at the hospital.—Photo: Special Arrangement

Every 33 seconds, one person dies of a heart attack in India. Coronary artery disease has now been affecting people 10 years earlier than it used to. Prevention is key, and patients must be aware of the treatment modalities available, said doctors at MIOT Hospital on Saturday.

“The advice and treatment given by doctors should be compatible with what the patient wants, for the best possible long-term outcomes,” said Prithvi Mohandas, joint managing director of the hospital.

Cholesterol levels

Apart from quitting smoking, ensuring a healthy diet and exercising, people should also be aware of some important numbers such as cholesterol levels, doctors said.

“Chest discomfort, especially with pain that radiates into the neck jaw and left hand, is a sign of a heart attack, but many people dismiss it as heartburn. In some people, the pain may be mild but it should not be ignored. Seek medical help immediately,” said S.S. Khaja Rafeeq, one of the doctors.

Newer imaging techniques and tests such as optical coherence tomography allow for better views of blood vessels, allowing doctors to determine the best procedure to be used, said Binoy John, head of the Cardiology Department. “Some blocks in the heart’s blood vessels may not need a stent at all, which can be determined through fractional flow reserve analysis,” he said.

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