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'Signs, Symptoms and Care' Programme
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Heart Attack: Prevention and Treatment
"South Asia is experiencing an epidemic of coronary artery disease
and diabetes. It is estimated that by year 2020, mortality associated
with coronary artery disease will increase by at least two fold. Urbanization
with changing life style, lack of physical activity and unhealthy
diet are the key factors responsible for rise in disease burden."
This was stated by Dr Syed Najaf Nadeem, Assistant Professor and Consultant
Cardiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi. Dr.
Nadeem was giving a presentation on "Heart Attack - Prevention and
Treatment" at the 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a health awareness programme,
held on August 12, 2005 in Hyderabad.
Explaining the process of the narrowing of coronary arteries, Dr Nadeem
said, “This narrowing is caused by deposits of cholesterol-rich
material in the blood vessels. Formation of a clot on top of these
blockages leads to a heart attack and 50% of patients who suffer the
heart attack do not survive; in fact they do not even make it to the
hospital.” Early recognition of symptoms and immediate treatment
is of prime importance to save heart muscle from irreversible damage.
“Time means muscle”, Aspirin and blood thinners / clot
dissolving medications should be initiated as soon as possible. Appropriate
use of beta blockers (agents optimizing heart rate and rhythm) and
statins (cholesterol lowering agents) has significantly reduced death
rate after a heart attack.
Coronary angiogram is the gold standard for the diagnosis of coronary
heart disease. It provides vital information about the extent and
severity of disease. Coronary angioplasty is a therapeutic procedure
which involves opening of the blockages with a balloon and placement
of metallic tube called stent. "Recent use of medicated stents has
dramatically reduced the chances of repeat narrowing to minimum. Many
more patients previously managed with coronary artery bypass surgery
can now be treated with coronary angioplasty with comparable success
rates. Another innovation in the technique is the use of radial artery
at wrist to perform the procedure. It not only substantially reduces
the risk of bleeding from access site, but also permits immediate
mobilization and enhanced patient comfort, with no need for prolonged
bed rest as required previously."
A question and answer session followed the presentation.
AKUH has organized over 180 Signs, Symptoms and Care programmes in
Karachi, Hyderabad and UAE, benefiting over 37,000 people, as part
of its societal commitment to creating awareness of early diagnosis
and timely treatment.
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