In the wake of spate of sudden cardiac deaths in Kashmir valley, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday called for screening of young people for conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or death.

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“Screening could prevent sudden cardiac death in young people,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Several of the diseases that cause sudden death in young can be detected by cardiac screening and treated before they turn into a tragedy,” he said.

Dr Hassan said hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in young. Usually inherited and often undiagnosed, HCM is a condition in which heart muscles become thickened without obvious cause. It affects one in 500 people in the general population.

“Picking up this condition early and placing an implantable cardioverter device (ICD) can prevent young individuals from dying,” he said.

The DAK President said according to a Swedish study nine in ten cases of sudden death due to HCM in young people were preceded by symptoms, ECG abnormalities or family history.

“These findings suggest that cardiac screening may help prevent sudden death in young population with HCM,” he said.

Dr Nisar said sudden cardiac arrest in young can also be caused by a long QT syndrome, a genetic heart rhythm condition that causes fast and chaotic heart rhythm in a structurally normal heart. A simple ECG screening can detect this condition and an ICD will help reduce the risk of death in these individuals.

 He said sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt or unexpected loss of heart function leading to loss of consciousness and collapse. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart’s electrical system. 

Sudden cardiac arrest isn’t same as a heart attack, when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

“If not treated immediately, sudden cardiac arrest leads to death.  Chances of survival outside a hospital increase in those who receive immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),” he added.

In six year, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura have registered over 27,000 patients ailing with cancer disease.

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Besides, the institute has witnessed 1833 deaths due to different types of cancer.

During this period, the institute has also issued 64,504 Out Patient Department (OPD) cards issued by the department of Nephrology.

The official figures of SKIMS accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveals that from October-2016 to October-2022, the institute has registered 27,727.

The Public Information Officer (PIO) SKIMS in a reply to Right to Information (RTI) said, “Total number of OPD cards issued under the Nephrology Department from October-2016 to October-2022 are 64504 and cancer patients registered are 27727.”

“From October-2016 to October-2022, a total number of 17,579 deaths have been registered,” PIO said.

It also said that under medical Oncology, radiotherapy, Clinical Hematology and Surgical Oncology during these six years are 1833 while under the Nephrology department at least 1145 deaths were recorded.

The PIO also said that 1745 accidental deaths were also recorded by the institute during this period.

About the total number of patients admitted and treated in State Cancer Institute since its establishment from December-05-2020 to October-2022 includes, the officer said that at least 2473 patients were admitted and treated while 659 deaths were also recorded.

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On asking about the proposal submitted to the government for a separate kidney hospital, the PIO said, “Any kind of proposal for a separate kidney hospital will be dealt with by the administration.”

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Saturday said surge in respiratory infections during winter puts people at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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“If you catch respiratory infection, you are at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke,” said DAK President and Influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement issued here.

Dr Hassan said as winter sets in, cases of respiratory infections increase. The surge in respiratory infections has been linked to spike in heart attacks and strokes during winter months.

He said a study conducted at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found strong evidence that recent respiratory infections increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The researchers found that the risk of both heart attack and stroke doubled in the week following respiratory infection.

The risk is particularly high among elderly and those with underling heart conditions.

The DAK President said respiratory infection causes acute and severe inflammation that builds up fat deposits in the inner walls of blood vessels. These fat deposits dislodge and get stuck in heart or brain, where they block the blood flow.

“Infection activates blood cells and clotting system leading to increased risk of blood clots,” he said.

Dr Nisar said the number of heart attacks and stroke patients in Kashmir doubles in winter and respiratory infection is a major factor.

“The risk is similar to the risk seen for other known risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking,” he said.

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“Preventing respiratory infections by vaccinating people against influenza and pneumococcus will help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes during wintertime,” he added.