E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, SEP 26 -

Even though heart disease is controllable, the number of heart patients increased at an alarming rate during the last one decade in the country, according to experts.

If the of Bansbari-based Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre (SGNHC) is anything to go by, the number of heart patients has increased by 5 to 10 folds in the last decade. Experts say lack of public awareness about the risk factors of heart disease and changing lifestyles are to blame for this.

"Heart complications were rare some one decade ago. But during this period, the cases increased by five to 10 folds. The number of cases had gone up by 40 percent in the last three decades," said Dr. Arun Maskey, consultant cardiologist and executive director of SGNHC. "It is the matter of shock for all of us."

In 2000, 5,885 heart patients were admitted in SGNHC's Out Patient Department (OPD). By 2009, the number of patients reached 98,711.

Similarly, in 2002, SGNHC had provided surgery services to only 215 patients. However, the number climbed to 1,408 in 2009.

Likewise, some 63 people were admitted at Coronary Care Unit (CCU) on the suspicion of suffering from an acute heart attack in 2001. Unexpectedly, the number stood 962 in 2009.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), heart disease (Cardiovascular) is the world's biggest human killer, claiming 17.1 million lives a year. Of them, 80 percent death take place in low and middle income countries that represents some 29 percent of the global death. The use of tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, which are controllable. 

A WHO study conducted globally in 2002 reports that cholesterol causes about one-third of heart complication, whereas inactivity lifestyles, tobacco use and low fruit and vegetable intake account for 20 percent each.

"Everyone should be conscious about health and visit hospital for regular check-ups at least once in six month, do exercise and eat fruits and vegetables daily and avoid smoking and tobaccos," said Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi, cardiologists at Bir Hospital and President of Nepal Health Foundation (NHF).

"The government that has been prioritising to control communicable disease has to devise a policy on non-communicable disease and make investment in this sector as well," he said.

According to NHF statistics, some 15 percent of the total population are suffering from any kind of heart complications.

Posted on: 2010-09-26 09:07

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