IMA calls for panel to look into sudden deaths, urges govt to fund research

HYDERABAD: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana, expressed concern at the increasing instances of sudden deaths and urged people to adopt preventive cardiac behaviour.

The IMA urged the state government to allocate funds for research into the reasons behind these deaths, especially in the young population and suggested the constitution of sudden death investigation committees to probe into each instance to reduce panic among people.

The IMA-T in a statement said that it had noticed two kinds of sudden cardiac deaths. The first is sudden deaths following an acute heart attack, which happen in slightly older subgroups and in those with traditional coronary risk factors. In the second type, sudden deaths are due to causes other than heart attack, rare instances in previously healthy individuals without any coronary risk factors. Typically, the patients do not have heart attacks before they succumb to cardiac arrest.

While the first group is amenable to detection by traditional preventive cardiac tests like ECG, 2d-Echo and TMT, the second group needs different detection algorithms like long-term ECG monitoring, electrophysiological testing, and genetic testing.

Dr B.N. Rao, state president, of IMA-T, urged the government to speed up training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sessions that were started by health minister T. Harish Rao to empower at least 50 per cent of the adult population with this skill by the end of 2024.

Dr B.N. Rao said that apart from installing public access defibrillators, CPR must be introduced in the higher secondary school curriculum.

IMA advisory for individuals:

* Individuals above 30 years to get blood pressure, blood sugar and fasting lipid profile checked

* Individuals above 40 years to get annual cardiac check-up done, including an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and an exercise tolerance (treadmill) test.

* Learn bystander-CPR and AED usage

* Not to suddenly start an unaccustomed arduous exercise

* Avoid strenuous activity in an inebriated state

* Not to follow crash diets that could lead to sudden changes in metabolism.

Preventive cardiac behaviour:

* Eating healthy

* Exercising regularly

* Maintaining ideal body weight

* Avoiding smoking

* Moderating alcohol consumption

* Reducing stress

* Sleeping for a minimum of six to eight hours

* Detecting and controlling hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.