KOCHI: Heart disease is one of the leading cause of death in all countries. Increasing occurrence of diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol and high rates of smoking contribute towards this. Smoking alone contributes to 30 per cent of heart disease world wide. Lack of exercise and change in dietary habits also contribute to increasing heart disease.
According to conservative estimates, at least 2.7 crore Indians have heart disease and 4000 people die every day due to heart disease. In Kerala, in the 1960s and 1970s, heart attack was very uncommon before the age of 40. Now, more and more young Malayalis are becoming victims of heart disease. Hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol are very high in this state, which is known for its high literacy and good health indices.
The PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological) Study published last year showed that higher risk factors alone did not mean higher deaths from heart disease in developed countries. This is not the case in India, even in Kerala, one of the more health conscious states. Hence it is important to develop an easy formula to direct heart disease prevention strategies.
ESSCAPE is a simple mnemonic developed by Prof (Dr) Anil Kumar, Lead Consultant Cardiologist of Aster Medcity, Kochi to educate the public regarding the key components of prevention of heart disease. This starts with eating healthy and ends with exercising regularly. This also includes sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol control and the misspelt S in ESSCAPE is to attract attention to smoking cessation.
A is for the use of low dose aspirin in high risk people to prevent heart attacks, though it is not to be recommended routinely for normal people. Considering the epidemic of heart disease in India and especially in Kerala, it is worth teaching this simple mantra to the next generation as well to prevent heart disease in the coming years. This can include teaching these concepts to adolescents and young adults in schools, colleges and offices.
E–EXERCISE REGULARLY
S–SMOKING CESSATION
S–SUGAR CONTROL
C–CHOLESTEROL CONTROL
A–ASPIRIN FOR SELECT PEOPLE
P–PRESSURE CONTROL
E–EAT HEALTHY
World Heart day is commemorated every year on September 29th. The motto this year is “Healthy Heart Choices for everyone everywhere”. The goal of this motto is to achieve reductions in the occurrence of heart attacks and heart disease by chosing life styles which prevent heart diseases and treating life style diseases appropriately. The lifestyle diseases include diabetes, high BP and high cholesterol.
The ESSCAPE mantra can be used to easily disseminate the knowledge regarding risk factors of heart disease to the society. Dr Anil Kumar and his team has started a campaign across workplaces in and around Kochi. The idea is to involve schools, colleges and more workplaces in this campaign to create more heart healthy environments. The ESSCAPE from heart disease theme can be adopted more widely by public and private health organisations. The concept that heart disease can be eminently preventable needs to be taught to the whole population. Proper control of blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol along with smoking cessation can reduce heart diseases at least by half. Thus we can reach the goal of creating more heart healthy environments.
Methods to prevent heart attack
Stop Smoking
Regular exercise
Healthy Diet
Know your numbers:
BP, Cholesterol , SugarControl abnormal BP , sugar or cholesterol.
See a doctor if you have chest pain
Living a Normal Lifewith heart disease
If proper treatment is taken at the right time, people with heart disease or blocks can have normal lives. The aim of treatment should be to preserve the heart function. Hence treatment for heart attacks or valve problems or rhythm problems should aim at preserving normal heat function before it is irreversibly damaged. This applies to birth defects, blocks in the arteries or irregular heart rhythms.
Moreover, regular medications as advised and follow up with the physician is also required to continue leading a normal life after treatment. The importance of continuing a regular exercise pattern and a healthy diet cannot be overemphasised. With modern treatments, there are tens of thousands of people leading normal active lives and having a once in 3 month follow up with their cardiologist .
Dr Anil Kumar is senior consultant (Cardiology) at Aster Medcity,Cheranalloor