"Coronary artery disease is spreading like an epidemic in our population. The treatment is very costly and majority of our population cannot afford it. Efforts, therefore, should be made towards preventing this disease." This was stated by Dr Fateh Ali Tipoo, consultant cardiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Karachi while giving a presentation on 'Primary Prevention for Heart Disease.'
Dr Tipoo was speaking at the 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' programme, organised by the University Hospital on July 2, 2005.
He stressed the importance of weight control diet, physical activity, cessation of tobacco use and control of hypertension, diabetes and cyslipidemia. He said: "Overweight or obesity is the crux of the problem and diet appears to be the major player."
He informed the audience that for a healthy diet, it is important to keep refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and caloric intake low. "It should be balanced and intake should follow moderation," explained Dr Tipoo. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercises, is important for coronary artery disease prevention. It controls risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and sugars.
Dr Tipoo described tobacco use in any form as bad for the heart and suggested its prohibition at all levels. Advising smoking cessation programmes for smokers, he said, "every third Pakistani over the age of 45 has hypertension, which is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease."
"Salt restriction, physical activity and weight reduction are important for controlling blood pressure," he said, adding, "in diabetic patients, the risk of coronary artery disease is greater by 20 per cent in 10 years."
Again, diet and exercise are important, in addition to drugs. The same is true for cholesterol control.
The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session in which the panelists included the cardiology consultants: Drs Ata Khan, Javed Tai, Khawar Kazmi, Sajid Dhakam and Sohail Abrar.
As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment of creating awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH has organised over 180 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad and the UAE, benefiting more than 37,000 people.-PR