Medical experts highlight cardiovascular challenges on World Heart Day 2024

New Delhi: As cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to rise in India, experts are emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and enhanced medical treatments to promote heart health nationwide.

This year’s World Heart Day theme, “Use Heart for Action,” convenes leading healthcare professionals to discuss effective strategies and treatment options aimed at raising awareness and improving heart health across the population.

CVDs, which encompass a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, are the leading causes of mortality globally. Among these, valvular heart disease, particularly aortic stenosis (AS), presents a significant public health challenge. AS occurs when the valve between the lower left heart chamber and the aorta narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. The incidence of AS increases with age, affecting approximately 1% to 2% of individuals under 65 and about 29% of those over 65. 

With India’s elderly population projected to grow from nearly 138 million to 194 million between 2021 and 2031, the rise in AS cases is concerning. Untreated AS carries a mortality rate of 50% within two years, a figure that surpasses many other conditions.

During a panel discussion, Dr. Rajpal Abhiachand, Chairman and Head of the Department of Cardiology at G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital in Coimbatore, stressed, “For high-risk patients, such as those with a history of heart disease, regular screening is essential. By identifying the condition in its early stages, we can manage and monitor it before it becomes life-threatening. TAVI treatment has revolutionized the treatment landscape, offering a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery.”

Dr. Haresh Mehta, Director of Interventional & Structural Heart at S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, echoed the sentiment, noting that many individuals go undiagnosed for aortic stenosis due to the absence of significant symptoms in the early stages. “It often presents only functional symptoms like fatigue that are attributed to aging. However, as more noticeable symptoms emerge, quality of life can be severely hindered. It is crucial for both patients and healthcare systems to recognize these signals early. If addressed promptly, particularly with advanced measures such as TAVR/TAVI through trans-femoral access, patients can achieve excellent outcomes,” he stated.

Dr. Amit Chaurasia, Chief of Cathlab and TAVI Unit at Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon, highlighted a concerning trend: younger patients presenting with aortic stenosis, partly due to lifestyle factors. “It is essential to raise awareness not only about the risks but also to encourage regular heart screenings among the general population, especially for those with a family history of heart disease. This has been transformative, giving patients hope for a healthy life with minimal recovery time,” he noted.

The panel unanimously emphasized the critical need for timely treatment, stressing that diagnostic and clinical approaches should prioritize early intervention. This effort calls on individuals to take an active role in maintaining their heart health, focusing not just on treatment but also on preventing cardiac conditions like aortic stenosis by identifying risk factors early and taking proactive steps to address them.