5000 cardiologists pledge to increase awareness of sudden cardiac death in India

The Cardiological Society of India, the largest and oldest running organisation with more than 5000 registered cardiologists has collaborated with SATS, a critical care society accredited by the American Heart Association to launch a unique initiative on the 29th of September 2022 to make people conscious of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) resulting from heart attack and subsequent Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that could save lives.

Sudden Cardiac Death occurs due to a cardiovascular cause that generally happens within an hour of the onset of the symptoms. The heart stops beating or doesn’t beat sufficiently to maintain perfusion and life. However, understanding the situation and symptoms and implementing of CPR could save thousands of lives every year. The doctors at CSI believe an awareness about SCD and CPR is the need of the hour to make the people of the country live better lives.

Researchers find that about 50% of Sudden Cardiac Death take place due to undetected Coronary Artery Disease. India-specific studies reveal that unevaluated ischemic heart disease is one of the primary causes of SCD. Undetected coronary artery blockages, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, and baseline electric abnormalities catalyze SCD, particularly in developing nations. However, simple investigative tests like ECG can signal risks associated with these conditions.

The rising number of clinical and subclinical Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) cases in India predicts the nurturing of a large population with a vulnerable trait for SCD. If we don’t take any precautions, an explosion in SCD numbers is only a matter of time. The immediate focus in our country should be on primary and secondary prevention programs, wider reach of first responders, timely management of ACS patients, and compliance with evidence-based medications. The decline in post-MI mortality and SCD achieved in the developed countries can largely be attributed to the adoption of these strategies, According to Dr Debabrata Roy, Honorary General Secretary, CSI and a Senior Consulting Interventional Cardiologist.

According to Dr PS Banerjee, President, CSI and a senior cardiologist: The annual incidence of SCD in India is 53 per 1 lakh Indians; constituting 5.6% of total mortality. The economically productive younger population are predominantly affected and this is a matter of concern. Major Heart attack,i.e.Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of SCD. Through our program Making India Heart Strong, the esteemed cardiologists of CSI will engage in awaring the public about SCD and how CPR can save a million lives.