HYDERABAD: Cardio-vascular diseases particularly heart attack and strokes have become the world's largest killer as these are claiming around 17.5 million lives of people every year in the world.
The coronary artery disease is the commonest cause of heart disease and the most important and leading cause of death among men and women in the world.
Talking to APP here on Monday eminent cardiologist of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, Professor Dr. Fasih Hashmi informed that 14 million adults suffer from heart disease every year in US alone.
Similarly, he said one heart attack occurs every minute globally and one of every 5 deaths is because of heart disease.
He said that the cases of coronary artery disease are on rise in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and on the whole, morbidity and mortality both are increasing in South Asian population.
Dr. Fasih Hashmi informed that Pakistan is experiencing high prevalence rate of cardiovascular diseases and along with risk factor, about 30 percent of total population of 140 millions is suffering from different types of coronary disease, he added.
Dr. Fasih Hashmi said that the incidence of the disease varies between the countries but the mortality from this disease rises rapidly with the age. He explained that the reason for the difference in incidence is not well understood but probably relates mainly to diet and smoking behaviour.
Dr. Fasih Hashmi said about the prevention of the disease that changes in the life style are very important in the prevention of coronary artery disease and these to a large extent is responsibility of the individual.
The cardiologists said that overweight and fatness is one of the major factors of causing different types of cardio vascular disease and if the parents influence and help children in controlling weight by healthy eating and doing regular physical activity, such major risk factor for heart diseases could be averted.
Dr. Fasih Hashmi said that heart disease and stroke could be prevented if the main risk factors, including high blood pressure, high level of cholesterol and blood glucose, tobacco use, inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables, overweight and obesity and physical inactivity could be reduced.
Regular physical activity helps to slow down narrowing of the arteries to the heart and brain encourages the body to use up excess stored fat, which can help to reduce high blood pressure, improves good cholesterol level (HDL cholesterol) and maintain normal glucose level, he added.
About the use of tobacco the cardiologist said that its use in any form is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can reduce the level of blood clotting and decreases the chance of sudden blockages of blood vessels.
Besides, overweight, fatness and use of smoking, Dr. Fasih Hashmi informed that other risk factors for heart diseases included the use of alcohol, obesity, taking salt frequently, lack of exercise and stress as well as the family history of heart attack.
Dr. Hashmi advised medication to lower blood cholesterol level of the patient and taking low dose of aspirin on daily basis as it help in reducing the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels which cause stroke and heart attacks.
Dr. Fasih Hashmi said that though cardio vascular disease is a life long illness however with change of life style and compliance with medication, the patient can live a normal life.
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