Changes stressed in habits to prevent heart problems
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, March 27: Speakers at a conference, on Saturday, noted that the lavish lifestyle of people, including cholesterol- rich diet, physical inactivity and smoking
, were the main factors causing increase in the incidence of heart diseases in the country.
Taking note of the trend that people suffering from cardio- vascular disease in South Asia were much younger as compared to those suffering from the disease in Western world, they called for creating awareness about the causes of the heart diseases among the masses with special focus on preventive measures, including weight management, modification in lifestyle and behavioural changes.
The was organized by the Department of Cardiology, Liaquat National Hospital, in collaboration with the Pakistan Cardiac Society.
Senior cardiologist Prof Hamid Shafqat, who was the chief guest of the inaugural session, said that increasing prosperity and mechanized lifestyle along with consumption of increasing rich diet were mainly responsible for the present day heart disease epidemic in the country.
Tracing the history of cardiology cure in the country, Prof Shafqat informed the audience that the first heart centre in the country was established following a heart attack to a federal cabinet minister in 1951.
Today, he added, cardiology was probably the most developed and organized medical speciality in Pakistan, which could be attributed to, among others, the fact that merit remained sole criteria in the appointment of health professionals in the cardio-vascular disease sector.
The Pakistan Cardiac Society's president, Prof Karamat Ali Shah, stressed the need of creating awareness regarding the disease and its preventive measures. He pointed out that the evolution of sedentary lifestyle and introduction of fast food were among major causes of heart diseases, along with diabetic, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Referring to a WHO report, Prof Ali stated that there would be 100 per cent increase in the existing number of male heart patients by the year 2020. Similarly, he added, there would be an increase of 80 per cent in the present number of female heart patients by the year 2020. He stressed the need of doing awaywith the practice of advertising about tobacco through signboards and billboards, which, according to him would surely benefit in long term. His views were also supported by some other cardiologists present at the congress.
The chairman of congress organizing committee, Prof Mansoor Ahmad, said that the incidents of heart diseases were rising in Pakistan. He pointed out that increase in abdominal girth was a significant risk factor not only for heart diseases, but also for diabetes and hypertension.
He mentioned that regular physical exercise must be encouraged to avoid abdominal obesity, particularly in early years of life. Taking notice of absence of playgrounds and parks in many parts of the city, he said that playgrounds, parks and other open areas should be developed not only in residential areas, but also in educational institutes.
Among others, the inaugural session was addressed by Prof Abdus Samad of the Pakistan Cardiac Society and Dr Abdul Rasheed of the organizing committee.
Addressing the scientific session, Dr Abid Amin said that hypertension was the third leading cause of death worldwide. He noted that both hypertension and coronary artery disease were commonly found in the same population and as such majority of the patients needed combination therapy.
Dr Syed Imran Ahmad dwelt with some important attributes of the metabolic syndrome with reference to a high risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in South Asian population and suggested the means to revert the aberration.
He maintained that over half of the diabetics had the CAD at the time of diagnosis while more than 75 per cent morbidity or mortality in diabetes cases was due to the cardio-vascular disease. He said that treating diabetics was almost like treating cardio-artery disease.
Dr Ejaz Vohra highlighted the role of aspirin in primary and secondary prevention and maintained that its use could help reducing the cardio-vascular risks.
