More lives lost after heart attack as patients lose out on golden hours of 120 minutes, claims study

A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) across 13 public-private hospitals in the country found that most of the patients reached the hospital 300 minutes after the symptoms against the golden hours of 120 minutes.

The delay in getting the treatment is resulting in an increase in mortality rates of patients. Not only the delay in treatment but also poor choice of hospitals not equipped with better facilities is resulting in causing further complications among cardiac patients.

Even as Delhi has a superior infrastructure in terms of cardiac healthcare facilities, cardiologists and medical experts cite that networking limitations are still a major challenge in the city.

A study conducted by Dr Ambuj Roy of All India Institute of Medical Sciences on the trends of cardiac diseases in Delhi made an observation that chronic heart diseases in the city has risen from 10.19 per cent to 13.91 per cent in 2012 with an increase in the risk factors.

Speaking to Millennium Post on the present trends of the chronic heart diseases in the city, Dr. Roy said: “There is no doubt that with increase in cases of diabetes and hypertension, there has been an increase in cases of heart diseases as well. Worryingly in today’s times, it is not only restricted to urban areas but also growing rapidly in rural areas.”

Mentioning the challenges of cardiac patients in the city, Dr Roy said: “There is a networking limitation in the city. Most of the patients are not able to come to hospital on time. This causes complications and even death. Lot of clinics must also be equipped with better cardiac facilities which can then reduce the dependence of patients on tertiary care hospitals and thereby get a quick and right treatment.”

Dr Harsh Wardhan, a senior cardiologist and vice-president of Cardiac Society of India said: “Most patients do not take the early symptoms seriously. If there is a pain in the chest and discomfort felt on arms, for precautions, ECG must be done.”