Heart disease rate on rise in southern parts of TN: Expert

Stating that heart failure has become one of the leading causes of high mortality rate and repeated hospitalisations, Dr M Vijayakumar, Chief Consultant, Vijaya Heart Foundation, Vijaya Hospital, said, “The incidence of heart diseases is on the rise in our country, especially in the Southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where a drastic change in lifestyle is seen. Besides, we also see many youngsters getting affected by various Cardiovascular Diseases.”

With no age limit in developing the diseases, he said, “I have seen a number of patients in their thirties suffering from heart ailments – something that was not even heard of a few years ago.” 

While the incidence and prevalence of heart diseases are coming down in most developing countries, he said that it is on a rise in India. “Cardiovascular diseases are becoming the most common causes of suffering and death and the mean age for this suffering is 10 years younger in India as compared to other countries.”

Themed ‘My Heart, Your heart’, World Heart Day, 2018 – to be commemorated on Saturday – focuses on looking after our own hearts and the hearts of our loved ones. “Heart diseases are multifactorial, with its causes including Diabetes, high BP, smoking, improper diet and the lack of physical activity. Each year, doctors try to educate the public in this regard. It is essential the public take steps to check heart disease by controlling their weight, ensuring they have a good quality diet and regular exercise, besides, getting rid of bad habits like smoking,” stressed the doctor.