Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 04, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Wednesday, Jun 04, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
MADURAI: A study undertaken among medical practitioners of southern districts has revealed a high level of vulnerability for cardiovascular diseases among this educated population. The interim findings of the study, ‘Madurai Area Physicians’ Cardiovascular Health Evaluation Survey,’ were presented at the World Congress of Cardiology 2008, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the third week of May. The objective of the ongoing study, according to A. Madhavan, consultant interventional cardiologist of Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai, was to assess the behaviour and belief about cardiovascular diseases among physicians. A list of over 100 questions on the lifestyle of physicians, who have a stressful life, was given before their blood samples were taken. Dr. Madhavan, who conducted the survey over a period of three years in Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Karur, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Theni and Tuticorin, in association with Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Boston, said that 95 per cent of heart attacks and stroke were potentially preventable by suitable changes in habits and lifestyle. Metabolic riskThe tests conducted on respondents revealed a significant metabolic risk for cardiovascular diseases. Among 4000 doctors identified in the region, 1514 physicians in the age group of 30 to 81 years were randomised for enrolment to make the study unbiased. Blood samples of 1433 (942 men and 491 women) were taken for analysis. It showed that 48.5 per cent of females and 41.1 per cent of males had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterised by abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fasting blood sugar. Dr. Madhavan said that all blood samples were analysed at the Apollo Speciality Hospitals here where quality was very well maintained. He pointed out that among two sets of guidelines applied to determine the risk factors the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines of National Cholesterol Education Programme were more appropriate for the US population and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guidelines were relevant for South Asian ethnic groups. As per IDF guidelines, fasting blood sugar should be below 100 milligrams per decilitre; waist circumference should be 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women; triglycerides below 150 and HDL above 50 for women and 40 for men. The findings have also been published in Circulation, the official journal of American Heart Association. A preliminary analysis suggested the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke, in “epidemic proportions” in a cohort of highly educated health workers, Dr. Mathavan said. This underscored the need for a “comprehensive, sustained and society-wide interventions” focussed on prevention of risk factors.
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