Believes, Dr. H. K. Chopra, Senior Panelist and Key Opinion Leader at Docplexus. He is President Elect, Indian Academic of Echocardiography and President, World Heart Academy. He is also associated with American Heart Association as a Country Head. Dr. H.K. Chopra is serving as a Senior Consultant Cardiologist. Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi.
How has been the field of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery developed over the years?
There has been a revolution in the field of cardiology in the advances of medical treatment. It includes the role of Thrombolytic Therapy including registry data of TNK (TNK-Tissue Plasminogen Activator) from India and abroad, advances in lipid management, Newer Oral anticoagulants in NVAF (Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation) for stroke prevention, newer molecules for hypertension management, emphasis on role of ambulatory BP Monitoring protocols for better hypertension care, release of special Apps. for cardiology care, development in state of art STEMI Care, newer technologies in Coronary Interventional cardiology including bioabsorbable stents, usefulness of TAVR (Transcathetar Aortic Valve Replacement) in aortic stenosis, application of watchman device for LA appendage closure in prevention of stroke, usefulness of ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) etc.
What should be done to realize the goal of Make in India, when it comes to medical equipment?
The main goal of India to enhance development of indigenous technology for medical equipments and special alliance with the top technology institutes in the world for better production of innovations.
What are the new developments in cardiovascular treatment?
New Bioabsorbable stents, TAVR, Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation for stroke prevention and Increment usefulness of ECMO are the most important new developments in cardiovascular treatment.
What cardiac treatments are patients from other countries looking for?
Advances in cost effective medicines and superior percutaneous intervention technology are driving patients from other countries to India.
What is the common age group of heart disease in India? What is the male female ratio?
The Prevalence of coronary artery disease is rising steeply in our country more in young individuals because of a very high prevalence of hypertension in India. India is the world capital of Hypertension. Its prevalence rate is 50% at the age of 50, 60% at the age of 60, 70% at the age of 70 and 80 % at the age of 80. Premature heart attacks are primarily because of uncontrolled hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Women are also competing with men after the age of the 45.
What are the major risk factors? Do you think, today’s lifestyle, long working hours is the cause of mental stress – leading to heart disease?
The major risk factors of premature heart attack are long working hours with negative mental stress. We need to have a paradigm shift from heart illness to heart wellness. We need to enhance awareness of hypertension in younger individuals. Most of the patients in India are hypertensive, under diagnosed, undertreated and they have poor drug compliance. Consumption of excess of salt, fast food, vitamin D3 deficiency, omega 3 deficiency, dyslipidemia, uncontrolled diabetes, increase in obesity and tobacco consumption are the major risk factors. There is a need for hypertension awareness, availability of BP Check up booths, incremental usefulness of ambulatory Blood pressure monitoring and central aortic blood pressure measurement is the need of the hour.
What preventions one should take to avoid heart diseases?
Regular exercise for 30 minutes for a day including walking, wogging (walking and jogging), cycling, tread-milling, regular yoga in which eight limbs of yoga including Yama, (do and don’ts), Niyama (Self discipline), Asana (Postures), Pranayam (Breathing Exercise), Pratihara (Contemplation), Dharna (Concentration) Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi (Transcendence). Restriction of salt intake, trans-fat, saturated fat, control of obesity, hypertension awareness and timely effective treatment of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia tobacco abstinence are the need of the hour. Optimization of vitamin D, omega 3 by consumption of flaxseed, walnut may enhance healthy heart in a healthy environment.
How telemedicine can help in better healthcare management and what are the bottlenecks?
Tele cardiac care is the need of the hour by transmission of EKG, Echocardiography, and CT MRI to the high tech centers for appropriate diagnosis and intervention may help in better cardiac care in India.
