Uptick in cardio-vascular diseases in rural population: Dr Sushil

Jammu, July 7: Despite wide heterogeneity in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors across different regions, Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD) has emerged as the leading cause of death in all parts of India, including poorer states and rural areas.

This was stated by Head Department of Cardiology Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma, during a day-long cardiac awareness cum health check-up camp at Udas Marg Sanstha, R S Pura on Sunday.

The camp was organised, in association with Punjab Kesari Group in memory of late Swadesh Chopra, with the aim of disseminating awareness regarding CVD, particularly in rural areas.

More than 350 patients were examined, evaluated and advised during the camp. Tests like ECG, Blood Sugar were conducted and medicines were also given as per the requirements.

While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that ‘The Global Burden of Disease’ study estimate of age-standardized CVD death rate of 272 per 100000 population in India was higher than the global average of 235 per 100000 population. “Some aspects of the CVD epidemic in India are particular causes of concern, including its accelerated build-up, the early age of disease onset in the population and the high case fatality rate. In India, the epidemiological transition from predominantly infectious disease conditions to non-communicable diseases has occurred over a rather brief period of time. Despite wide heterogeneity in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors across different regions, CVD has emerged as the leading cause of death in all parts of India, including poorer states and rural areas,” Dr Sushil said.

According to him, the progression of the epidemic is characterized by the reversal of socio-economic gradients; tobacco use and low fruit and vegetable intake have become more prevalent among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds frequently do not receive optimal therapy, leading to poorer outcomes.

He elaborated, “An additional cause of concern in Indians and South Asians is that they tend to have more severe manifestations of CVD and higher fatality rates. Despite having a lower conventional CVD risk factor burden, the incidence of major cardiovascular events and mortality among individuals of low-income countries (96 percent from South Asia, of whom 83 percent were from India) was higher than in middle- and high-income countries.”

The case fatality rate for cardiovascular events in low-income countries, represented largely by India, was 17 percent and this was much higher than in higher-income countries, which had a case fatality rate of 6.5 percent.

Dr Sushil Sharma stated that rural residents faced numerous challenges when accessing medical care, including increased travel distance, higher incidence of CV Disease risk factors and higher rates of poverty.

“These factors have contributed to the exacerbation of rural-urban health disparities observed over recent decades. The focus should not solely be on the referral of patients but also on providing community hospitals with education, training, and clinical support to ensure patients can receive optimal CV care locally when possible,” he added.