The Hindu : Kerala News : Prevent Heart Attack. Have a check up

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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Prevent Heart Attack. Have a check up

The old adage ’prevention is better than cure’ is more relevant than ever today. The phenomenal increase in the cost of patient care, medical and surgical, the man days lost due to sickness and early death in the prime of life have left even the most affluent countries worried and thus most have launched preventive programmes on a large scale.

Of all the causes of illness and death below 65 years of age including that of India, 48% is due to heart attack, 22% due to cancer, 4% due to accidents and 26% include infections of various kinds. However, heart disease and stroke top the list. The trend today is to have frequent simple check ups even when the person is in apparently in good health. It is even more relevant in persons in the high risk group i.e., those with a family history of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure Between the age of 20 and 25, there should be comprehensive physical check up as the person is now an adult, to determine basal data on height, weight, blood pressure levels and biochemical parameters of blood sugar, lipids, renal function etc. After this a regular check up once in two to five years is desirable. From the age of 40 onwards, an annual check up is recommended.

Very simple tests will enable the detection of early signs of heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer. Referral can be made to the appropriate facility in case any disease is detected. In various hospitals, different combinations of tests are available under different packages. All the test results will be reviewed by consultants and necessary advice will be given on change of life style, diet, body weight, regular exercise and other aspects as required.

Dr. P. Raveendran

MD, DNB (Cardio)

Associate Professor and

Chief Cardiologist

Kannur Medical College,

Anjarakkandy, Kannur

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