- Industry
- 2 min read
Gujarat’s ECG report disheartening
Gujarat is sixth in the country when it comes to the prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) — a condition in which arteries are narrowed and the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart is restricted.
Gujarat is sixth in the country when it comes to the prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) — a condition in which arteries are narrowed and the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart is restricted.
A study titled “The Changing Patterns of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors in the States of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2016”, published in the Lancet journal, says that an average of 3,736 individuals per lakh population in Gujarat suffered from IHD between 1990 and 2016. The study says these patients remained ill, developed some disability, or died early.
As for the rise in the prevalence of IHD cases, Gujarat ranks 10th, recording a 60.5% spike between 1990 and 2016. In that period, the prevalence of stroke cases surged by 63.1%. Recently, 22-24% individuals in Gujarat were diagnosed with high blood pressure, while up to 25% showed high total cholesterol levels.
When it came to cardiovascular diseases — which is a collective of various kinds of heart ailments, stroke, and diseases of blood vessels — Gujarat had 4,000-4,499 individuals per lakh population suffering from those diseases in the study period. IHD and strokes accounted for most deaths.
An average of 830 Gujaratis per 1 lakh population suffered a stroke and most of the patients died; while 254 individuals per lakh population suffered from rheumatic heart disease caused by acute rheumatic fever.
The Lancet study was carried out as part of a statelevel disease burden initiative, a project undertaken by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India, and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in collaboration with the Union ministry of health.
Cardiac ailments killed more Indians in 2016 (28%) than any other non-communicable disease, the study said.
The authors of the study have recommended that the Gujarat government conceive a policy to control the increasing prevalence of IHD. Providing better primary care and financial assistance are some of the measures the study has recommended. The study has suggested the establishment of wellness centres and of appropriate referral linkages with secondary and tertiary hospitals. Programmes to help reduce fat, salt, and sugar consumption have been recommended. The study advises that anti-smoking campaign be sustained and constant surveillance be maintained.
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