Hyderabad: Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer and it triggers much worry among patients. Desperate, aid-seeking is noted to be highest among heart patients, which is being exploited, say senior doctors.
When patients come to the hospitals early for treatment, the first line must be medication, which involves anti-clotting drugs and lifestyle changes, says Dr S. Sharma, senior general physician and alumni of Gandhi Hospital. “But most doctors opt for stents or surgeries as the hospital needs to survive, which is not in the interest of the patient at all,” Dr Sharma said.
A recent case pointed out in the city was of one Vinodha Reddy (name changed), 65, who was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pain. The doctors said a stent would help to control the blockage in the two main arteries but her family opted for a second opinion as she was obese and severely diabetic. The second opinion was against a stent and she was kept on medication and soon, improved.
Dr G. Dinakar, senior general physician, said, “If there is no major threat to life, people can wait and evaluate the cituation, which is very important.” Statistics from 2015 show there are 30 million heart patients in India, 14 million of them are in our cities.
The growth of heart disease is linked to various factors such as diet, lifestyle changes, aging, bad eating habits and access to better healthcare. The numbers are going to increase but a judicial use of medical expensive procedures is also required.
