API and Abbott launch the first Angina Awareness Week in India

New Delhi: The Association of Physicians of India (API), in partnership with Abbott initiated India’s first-ever ‘Angina Awareness Week’ from June 19th to June 25th.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the early detection and optimal management of angina, a common symptom of coronary artery disease, to reduce cardiac events and enhance patient outcomes. As part of this effort, API and Abbott have unveiled an Action Plan titled ‘Optimal Treatment of Angina (OPTA): The need of the hour,’ outlining best practices for healthcare professionals.

Angina, characterized by chest discomfort or pain, is a critical initial indicator of coronary artery disease, contributing significantly to cardiovascular mortality in India. The country ranks second globally in cardiovascular disease-related deaths, with 20.3% and 16.9% mortality rates among men and women, respectively. Recognizing the urgency, the action plan addresses the challenges associated with diagnosing atypical angina symptoms prevalent among Indians, including shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.

The action plan details insights into angina, covering its disease burden and challenges. Indians face a 20-50% higher CAD mortality rate compared to other populations, with CAD-related mortality and disability rates in India doubling over the past 30 years. Indians often exhibit atypical angina symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive sweating, and nausea, alongside stable angina triggered by stress or exercise. Women are more likely than men to display non-chest symptoms like jaw pain and exhaustion, complicating diagnosis. 

Early identification of angina is crucial to initiate interventions, manage symptoms, and reduce the risk of serious cardiac events, thereby avoiding additional healthcare costs. Abbott has developed three tools—OPTA clinical checklist, questionnaire, and management approach—to assist in angina diagnosis and treatment, recommended by API for timely and optimal management of the condition.

Dr. Milind Y Nadkar, President of API, emphasized “Indians experience cardiovascular diseases a decade earlier than those in Western countries, which makes it vital to address the early age of onset and rapid disease progression in a timely manner. With the country also recording the highest rate of coronary artery disease worldwide, it is essential to bring more awareness to symptoms like angina, which commonly affect Indians, but are often neglected. By supporting the country’s general practitioners and cardiologists through various measures and tools, we aim to strengthen effective diagnosis and disease management.”

Dr. Ashwini Pawar, Medical Director at Abbott India, highlighted “Angina remains an under-diagnosed condition in India, even today. As a result of this, many do not receive optimal treatment. It’s important to address this challenge given the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases, as well as its associated cost to the country of roughly 2.17 trillion US dollars between 2012 and 2030. With the support from Association of Physicians of India, we’re committed to driving awareness through the initiation of the ‘Angina Awareness Week’ in India to help in earlier diagnosis and optimal angina management.”

During the Angina Awareness Week launch event, Dr. Pawar moderated a panel discussion featuring experts like Dr. Milind Nadkar, Dr. V.T Shah, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Mumbai, and Dr. Agam Vora, General Secretary of API. The discussion emphasized the adoption of holistic management approaches and minimally invasive procedures to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. 

The action plan also underscores the pivotal role of connected care devices and AI technologies in early detection and continuous monitoring, promising a brighter future for cardiac care in India. With increasing awareness and evolving healthcare infrastructure, initiatives like Angina Awareness Week are poised to make significant strides in combating cardiovascular diseases across the country.