Cardiovascular Health in India: Insights and Outlook

Introduction

In India, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are currently the major cause of death. The two main causes of CVD deaths, ischemic heart disease and stroke, account for almost 80% of fatalities. India has an age-standardized CVD death rate of 272 per 100,000 people, according to the Global Burden of Disease research, which is higher than the global average of 235 per 100,000 people. According to the American Heart Journal, India has seen a 13% rise in sudden cardiac arrest among those in their mid-30s to mid-40s, and it is estimated that about 5-6 lakh people die every year due to sudden cardiac death (SCD), and a good proportion of them are under the age of 50. Young people are experiencing cardiac arrest at an increasing rate as a result of several variables such as diabetes, smoking, stress, hypertension, and changing lifestyles.

Determining the root causes of heart problems, particularly in the younger population, can aid in the development of successful treatments. By focusing on preventive measures including screening programs, early diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, all parties involved in the healthcare delivery system can play a critical role. There's little doubt that this will significantly improve public health.

Patients in India with heart disease meet a variety of challenges related to their care and management. These include gaps in the way patients are treated, early diagnosis failure driven by a lack of access to advanced diagnostic technologies, and serious problems with health equity, particularly concerning marginalized communities.

42% of Indian patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) cite "confusion about what I was supposed to do next" as a major obstacle to receiving a timely and precise diagnosis. A major obstacle to an accurate diagnosis, according to 40% of Indian doctors, is the "lack of standardized approach for diagnosis CAD/PAD. "These numbers demonstrate doctors must use advanced technologies to enhance their capacity to diagnose patients and share that diagnosis as soon as feasible in the course of the patient's care. For patients who live in rural or underserved locations in particular, the use of telemedicine services and remote patient monitoring technologies can greatly increase access to care.

By promoting standardized diagnosis and screening procedures to enhance India's cardiovascular infrastructure overall and enable a greater number of people to benefit over the course of care. To get the best patient results, innovation requires collaboration between people, procedures, and policy.

Patient Journey: Navigating Three Stages

Living with Heart Disease involves three stages: diagnosis, post-diagnosis, and long-term care. In the diagnosis stage, many find out about Heart Disease after a heart attack, sometimes missing the signs. After diagnosis comes adapting to lifestyle changes and managing the condition, often with feelings of fear and uncertainty. Long-term care can be challenging for maintaining heart-healthy habits. Throughout, individuals need basic info about heart disease, help with emotions, and support from family and friends. Challenges like money or gender differences can add complexity. This simple guide breaks down the journey, making it easier to understand and navigate the experiences and needs at each stage

Key Challenges in Heart Care in India

• Lack of Awareness of Symptoms and Possible Treatments

According to a survey conducted by Abbott, both doctors and patients acknowledge that symptom identification is the biggest obstacle to a precise diagnosis. Although the obstacles that patients selected as the greatest differ from those of many of their counterparts elsewhere, Indian replies generally match those of respondents worldwide.

2. Lack of standardized diagnostic technologies and processes

Indian doctors are less inclined to consider technology as a problem, even though Indian patients are more likely than those around the world to believe that it prevents an appropriate diagnosis of CAD/PAD. In the meantime, leaders in Indian healthcare are somewhat more likely than leaders in other countries to think that a deficiency of standardized procedures prevents proper diagnosis of CAD/PAD.

3. Poor Coordination and Communication between PCPs and Specialists

Physician coordination is a significant challenge in India, although Indian doctors and healthcare administrators are less inclined than their international colleagues to recognize this. 38% of Indian healthcare leaders view coordination among physicians and specialists as suboptimal.

One in three Indian patients believe their doctors don't connect with them cross-culturally sufficiently. Under one-third of doctors in India think that primary care and specialty care providers shouldn't work together as well as they should. 38% of Indian healthcare executives believe that there is not enough coordination between doctors and specialists.

Heart Care with Advanced Technology

Innovative cardiology solutions that address patients' demands throughout the care pathway and are in line with the current state of healthcare in our nation. Technology is revolutionizing the healthcare industry and opening up new avenues for the provision of treatment. AI, which has revolutionized every other industry, is reshaping healthcare with innovations that improve image quality, accuracy, and efficiency, and improve patient and clinician safety in the process. With better awareness of risk factors, personalized approaches, and timely interventions, we can reduce mortality rates and enhance the quality of life for those with heart conditions. The progress in medical technology, including improved imaging and interventional care, has played a vital role. Interventional Cardiology, with its benefits like less pain and quicker recovery, has gained wider acceptance. However, a key challenge for doctors is ensuring accurate and efficient medical imaging for the right diagnosis and timely treatment. The accuracy and efficiency of medical imaging required for the RIGHT DIAGNOSIS at the RIGHT TIME for the RIGHT TREATMENT for the patient via their cardiac journey route is one of the main issues for interventional cardiologists in India today.