Department of Cardiology, Advanced Cardiac Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh
World Heart Day 2021
Twenty-ninth September is celebrated all over the globe as World Heart Day and is the largest event for knowledge and awareness regarding cardiac illnesses as cardiovascular disease is the “number one killer” in the world and most of the risk factors are preventable.
Department of Cardiology under the leadership of Prof Yash Paul Sharma (Head, Cardiology, Advance Cardiac Centre) is organizing a symposium and educative session on this day at the Advanced Cardiac Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The theme of this year’s World Heart Day is Use Heart to Connect/Connect to Protect to utilize digital technology and telemedicine/telecardiology for management of patients with cardiac illness. This is most relevant in the present times of COVID pandemic which has sensitized us to the importance of tele-health in the future. The discussion will focus on the health of cardiac patients in the present times.
The important risk factors for coronary artery disease include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, lack of activity, less intake of fibres, psychosocial stress, sleep deprivation, etc. Management of these risk factors becomes most important in the present era as COVID itself is a risk factor for premature coronary artery disease, subclinical myocarditis, and endothelial dysfunction which is a precursor of atherosclerosis. The seroprevalence surveys have shown very high positivity rates in the population. Meaning thereby majority of the population may have had symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID infection. The COVID infection may precipitate cardiac events in patients with risk factors. It becomes an important duty of all individuals to take care of their health by reducing the risk factors vigorously and controlling co-morbid diseases.
For patients with established cardiac diseases heightened precautions are important in the present times. The patients who have undergone angioplasty and stenting should ensure that they take antiplatelet drugs regularly as advised by their physicians. All cardiac patients should ensure that they should receive vaccinations as per recommendations. The patients should continue all drugs even when they are taking the COVID-19 vaccine. This information was earlier disseminated by telecardiology and webinars also.
The patients who have undergone valve replacement and are on blood thinners should keep their INR (test done to see the efficacy of oral anticoagulant which prevent clot formation on the metallic valve) near the upper limit of the recommended range. Our observation has shown that patients with metallic valves and coronary stents are presenting in the emergency with stuck valves (valve malfunction because of clot formation) and stent thrombosis which can be avoided by taking the prescribed drugs regularly. Adequate hydration and a balanced, nutritious diet should also be ensured in this time. Patients with heart failure, rhythm disturbances like atrial fibrillation etc, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism should also be on regular check-up of doctor and should be on anticoagulant/blood thinner as per their treatment plan.
The novel concept of hybrid check-up using benefit of physical OPDs and tele cardiology services should be taken by the patients for knowledge and awareness regarding medication, follow-up and general health. This shall be of great benefit for the nation.
