The last two decades in India have seen a steady rise in incidences of heart attack among women, especially those…
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The last two decades in India have seen a steady rise in incidences of heart attack among women, especially those in the reproductive age, said medical experts here on Thursday.
Estimates suggest that of the 10 million deaths annually in India, about two million are due to diseases of circulatory system, and women form 40% of those who die due to cardiovascular issues, said Dr K K Aggarwal, president, Heart Care Foundation of India.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, he said, “No woman should die of heart disease just because she cannot afford treatment, or it is ignored.”
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Aggarwal, said, “There is a need to create awareness on the fact that women are equally prone to heart diseases.
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Although most families can afford diagnosis and treatment for women, health problems in them are ignored until a much later stage. As per law those with an income of INR 21,000 or less are covered under ESI but those above 21,000 are not mandated. This needs to be made mandatory for those above this benchmark as well, including women of the family.”
Discussing heart-related ailments among women of poor and meagre means, Dr Aggarwal spoke about achievements of the Heart Care Foundation of India in giving a new lease of life to girls and women in the age group of a few months to 65 years. Different surgeries were facilitated by the HCFI, he said.
Celebrating Women’s Day by unveiling the stories of over 500 women whose lives were saved due to the work being done under HCFI’s flagship project ~ the Sameer Malik Fund ~ a panel of doctors and celebrities presented 20 of the women beneficiaries.
Kali, a 66-year-old female from Nepal, approached the fund. She suffered an inferior wall heart attack and had severe blockages in two of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Her family income was Rs 70,000 per year. As part of her treatment, a coronary artery bypass off pump surgery was done at the National Heart Institute.
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