Over 2.5 million people in India suffer from rheumatic heart disease

Jammu: Over 2.5 million people in country are suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) which involves either blockage or opening of the heart valve.

"According to a survey, over 2.5 million patients in India suffer from RHD which involves either the blockage or the opening of one or more of the four valves of the heart," said VK Sharma, Director Cardiology Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.

He said, over 1.5 people out of every 10,000 are suffering from RHD.

"The patients who suffer from RHD are informed by their primary doctor at a very late stage which makes the treatment difficult. If the patient is informed well in advance then his life could be saved," Sharma said.

He said hypertension and diabetes were silent killers and if not detected well in time, could lead to serious complications, including heart attack or a stroke.

"A regular check up along with monitoring of BP and other parameters is advisable. We also recommend a balanced diet along with regular exercise to ward off hypertension," he said.

He said new inventions and advancements of scientific techniques have resulted in great progress in cardiac surgery making it extremely safe.