New Delhi: CVD Diseases are at an all-time high in India due to changing demographics, sedentary lifestyles, and fast-paced urbanization. As per WHO, CVD is known to be one of the leading mortality causes with 28% of deaths overall. In the longer run it becomes challenging for a nation to maintain public health and economic stability and poses pressure on the healthcare ecosystem. This can only be prevented by consistent efforts by Government and private bodies to strengthen and empower the healthcare ecosystem and spread awareness and preventive measures to the general public too.
Dr. SS Ramesh, Mentor and Chief Clinical Advisor, Heartnet India, shared his take on the rising CVD cases in India and how this crisis can be managed.
Demographics and Risk Factors
Urban lifestyles a rise in modern-day desk jobs and reduced physical activities a major contributors to obesity and other metabolic problems.
Packaged and processed foods/ready-to-eat meals/junk food etc have high fat content along with sugar, and carbohydrates leading to high cholesterol, Diabetes, hypertension, and CVD diseases.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption at all costs
People already suffering from diabetes are at higher risk of getting heart diseases because high blood sugar and BP levels damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.
Try maintaining work-life balance, avoid a sedentary lifestyle, do walking, meditation, and yoga to maintain a healthy body and mind while taking proper nutrition in a regular diet.
Integrated Approach to Prevention
Public Health Policies: Government bodies should take complete authority and accountability to restrict the promotion and usage of unhealthy and unsafe foods, higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco/drug consumption, and spread awareness about the damages unhealthy food choices and consumption can have and suggest alternatives too. Implementing stricter guidelines and policies will force the general public to abide by rules and regulations, and those not implementing should be charged with heavy penalties and the required intervention of the government.
Regular Health Screenings: Regular health check-ups are ideal for people of all age groups so that healthcare providers can assess anything alarming or concerning and advise accordingly rather than in immediate critical situations. Especially patients dealing with Diabetes, Hypertension, High cholesterol, and CVD should opt for regular screenings consider advice, and follow the practitioner’s guidance. Enhancing the healthcare system with affordable screening options, especially in rural communities, can help eliminate obstacles to accessing preventative care.
Affordable & Accessible Healthcare: Government and private bodies are fully in support of providing India with better, affordable, and accessible healthcare facilities. With the growing onset of population and diseases, it’s become imperative to have affordable and accessible medical healthcare facilities. Preventive care plays a vital role in the forefront like wearable devices, telehealth, teleconsultations, mobile health applications remote monitoring systems, etc. Such tools not only act as bridges for better aid in health management but also improve communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Increased Collaboration: Collaboration between Government and private healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community organisations to spread awareness, regular health monitoring and screenings, regular check-ups, and medical intervention for CVD diseases is critical whether it be rural or urban places across the nation. With a growing population, it’s becoming challenging for Government bodies to cater to patients and maintain general public health, hence a collaborative approach can prove beneficial as we have already eradicated diseases like Polio from our nation.
With the help of advanced technology and devices, India can significantly lower the rates of premature deaths and disorders linked to CVDs. With the help of Government and private bodies, we can combat the rising challenges by encouraging healthy lifestyles, nutritious diets, early detection and screenings, and effective management of risk factors.
With the help of advanced technology and devices, India can significantly lower the rates of premature deaths and disorders linked to CVDs. With the help of Government and private bodies, we can combat the rising challenges by encouraging healthy lifestyles, nutritious diets, early detection and screenings, and effective management of risk factors. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
