NEW DELHI: The number of “atrial fibrillation” patients is increasing in the country. In 2013 alone, over 1.27 crore people suffered from atrial fibrillation, an increase by 40 lakhs from 2012 and 60 lakhs from 2011.
Atrial fibrillation, which is the number one cause of paralysis in the elderly. Indian Medical Association (IMA) will be launching a national programme for control artial fibrillation.
The disease is classified as new onset, paroxysmal, persistent, long standing persistent or permanent. In India, the increasing incidence of potbelly obesity and chronic heavy alcohol use is directly linked to the increase in incidence of atrial fibrillation.
Date related to atrial fibrillation was released in Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) conference held recently in the capital.
President of the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and secretary general elect of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr K.K. Aggarwal said, “Medically, all patients with atrial fibrillation need sequential echocardiography and permanent blood thinners unless contraindicated.
In the absence of a reversible cause atrial fibrillation is always recurrent. If not treated atrial fibrillation can lead to paralysis, an increased heart rate linked low pumping action of the heart and distressing symptoms”.
Concerned with the rising number of atrial fibrillation patients, the IMA has decided to launch national program for control of atrial fibrillation and stroke.
The IMA’s national program for control of atrial fibrillation and stroke will focus on to create awareness about the magnitude of problem in the country and to sensitize the family physicians in early recognition of atrial fibrillation.
“Campaign focus on creating awareness about control of risk factors so that atrial fibrillation does not occur, sensitising the government and the industry to make available cost effective blood thinners to prevent stroke,” added Dr Aggarwal.
Director Cardiology at Saket City Hospital, Dr Mohan Nair said that according to the latest APHRS white book, there are only 27 doctors in the country who can ablate atrial fibrillation. “There are only 20 atrial fibrillation centers in the country,” added Dr Nair.
