By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Transformation of the lifestyle of people in the State from a simple to a highly complicated and sophisticated one has increased the risk of obesity, heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
About 3 per cent of the total population in the State now suffers from cardiovascular disease which roughly totals 90,000 people per year.
“A decrease in physical activities coupled with excessive smoking, stress and high cholesterol has increased the risk of cardiovascular disease”, Dr Animesh Mishra, a noted cardiologist of NEIGRIHMS said.
Disclosing these facts at a press conference here on Wednesday, Dr Mishra said when compared to other states in the country, Meghalaya has the lowest number of heart patients but if aggressive preventive measures are not taken at the earliest, the number can double or triple in the coming years.
A study conducted a year ago further indicates that there is a reversal in disease patterns in the country from communicable diseases to non-communicable or lifestyle diseases.
According to the study, about 25 per cent of deaths in the age group of 25-69 years occur because of heart diseases. In urban areas, 32.8 per cent deaths occur because of heart ailments, while the percentage in rural areas is 22.9.”
Reacting to a query on the simplest measure to prevent this disease, the cardiologist said “Regular exercise and healthy diet is the simplest way to overcome heart problems,” while adding that the State Government should look at preventive strategies by providing the needed infrastructure and treatment strategies so that the poor and the downtrodden can also afford them.
Meanwhile, to enhance the delivery of cardiac care in the entire Northeast, the Indian Society of Cardiology has decided to hold its sixth Annual Conference and the fifth National Cardiology Talent Quiz on the theme ‘North East with the global advancement in the field of Cardiology’ at NEIGRIHMS from October 14 to 16.
This is one of the first-ever conferences on Cardiology to be held in the region with over 60 eminent cardiologists taking part.
Deliberating on the purpose of this annual conference, President of the Scientific Committee Prof SK Kaushik said the scientific programme would provide some knowledge to the cardiologists and physicians of the state and the whole of North East on the recent advancements and high fidelity practices and therapeutic interventions which would also include ‘Robotic Cardiac Surgery’ and how to make high fidelity cardiac care available and affordable to the poor and the needy people of the Northeast.
It was also mentioned that there would be ‘Live demonstration of complex angioplasty cases’ from NEIGRIHMS Cath labs, and other centres of India.
Hundred top national faculties would be participating in the guest lectures along with over 500 participants from 20 different states.