Competitive Times: 64th Annual Conference of Cardiological Society of India & SAARC Cardiac Congress

The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has said that recent studies have shown that heart diseases have emerged as the number one killer in both urban and rural areas of the country. The diseases affect men and women alike. If all age groups are included, heart diseases account for about 19 per cent of all deaths in the country. Delivering inaugural address at the “64^th Annual Conference of Cardiological Society of India [CSI] & SAARC Cardiac Congress” here today,

Shri Ansari said that these diseases not only impact the physical well being of our people directly, but they can also hold back the economic growth of the country due to increased healthcare expenditure and diminished productivity. According to the same Deloitte study, India is projected to lose approximately USD 236 billion between 2005-2015 due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

He opined that the lesson to be drawn from these alarming facts and figures is that the prevention and cure of cardiovascular diseases is not just an important medical necessity but is also a social and economic imperative for sustainable growth and development of countries, especially the developing countries like India.

The importance of addressing the challenges related to cardiovascular diseases, which confront the medical fraternity, especially professionals like you, who are working in this field, can be underscored by the following facts:

Ø According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally as more people die annually from these diseases than from any other cause. It is estimated that 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008, representing 30% of all global deaths.

Ø Moreover, low-and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular diseases, with over 80% of deaths in these countries being due to these diseases.

Ø By 2030, it is estimated that almost 25 million people will die from cardio-vascular diseases, mainly from heart disease and stroke, which are projected to remain the single leading cause of death.

In India, the situation is no different. Recent studies have shown that heart diseases have emerged as the number one killer in both urban and rural areas of the country. The diseases affect men and women alike. If all age groups are included, heart diseases account for about 19 per cent of all deaths in the country.

According to the consultancy firm, Deloitte, cardiovascular diseases, which were once thought to be impacting the rich and affluent, now afflict the poor as well. While changing lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits and declining physical activity are the key reasons for high incidence rates in the rich population, the issues of access and affordability account for higher mortality amongst the urban poor and rural population.

These diseases not only impact the physical well being of our people directly, but they can also hold back the economic growth of the country due to increased healthcare expenditure and diminished productivity. According to the same Deloitte study, India is projected to lose approximately USD 236 billion between 2005-2015 due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The global cost of cardiovascular diseases between 2010-2030 is expected to exceed US Dollar 20 trillion, out of which around 45% would be due to productivity loss from disability, premature death or absenteeism.The lesson to be drawn from these alarming facts and figures is that the prevention and cure of cardiovascular diseases is not just an important medical necessity but is also a social and economic imperative for sustainable growth and development of countries, especially the developing countries like India.

(Source PIB)