Sunday, 03 September 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Healthier lifestyles & awareness vital to address cardiac issues: experts
There has been a considerable increase in the incidence of cardiac issues and heart attacks among women in Dehradun. Cardiologists point out that over time, the rate of heart attacks and other heart-related problems has multiplied two to three times, in comparison to the past years. In order to mitigate the risk of cardiac problems and heart attacks, it is important for women to adopt healthier lifestyles and promptly seek medical advice, the cardiologists said.
According to the global burden of disease study, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in India. A cardiologist at CMI Hospital Dr Abhinav Jain told this correspondent, “Earlier, cardiac issues or cases of heart attacks were prevalent in western countries. However, there has been an increase in heart attack cases among women in India as well. I have frequently come across instances of heart issues among women in the city. One of the primary reasons for the rise in heart attacks and other heart problems among women could be attributed to the lack of awareness regarding the symptoms of such problems. In past years, women would often mistake heart pain for labour pain or menstrual cramps, effectively ignoring it.”
He further added that hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity are the main reasons behind heart problems among women. To prevent such issues among women, they must go for the screening of their bodies at regular intervals. Regular walks will help women to prevent cardiac problems, especially heart attacks, he added.
Senior consultant and head of the cardiology department at Kalash Hospital Dr Irfan Yaqoob Bhatt said that there has been a shift in the prevailing circumstances regarding heart attacks, which were once predominantly associated with men. Over time, the incidence of heart attacks and other related issues has also become increasingly common among women residing in the city. Particularly, middle-aged women are more susceptible to experiencing cardiac problems or heart attacks. “Smoking, lifestyle changes, obesity, and hypertension are identified as major contributing factors to cardiac issues among women. Raising mass awareness regarding the symptoms, causes and preventive measures associated with heart attacks is imperative to address such cases effectively,” said Bhatt
He further stated that heart attack symptoms among women are different from those in men. So, he suggests that women must not consider the chest pain as normal pain due to less frequency and contact the doctor as soon as possible.
