Rural residents now becoming vulnerable to cardio diseases

Urban residents are no longer the only ones suffering from cardiovascular diseases. People living in villages and small towns are increasingly becoming vulnerable to these diseases including coronary artery blocks, hypertension and diabetes.

Urban residents are no longer the only ones suffering from cardiovascular diseases. People living in villages and small towns are increasingly becoming vulnerable to these diseases including coronary artery blocks, hypertension and diabetes.

Senior cardiolo gists in the city said as much while addressing a free heart checkup camp organised by Global Heart Foundation (GHF) and Dr Saroj Mandal, an assistant professor in cardiology at SSKM Medical College and Hospital. The camp was held at Pailan in South 24-Parganas on Sunday.

“Villagers are also susceptible to cardiovascular diseases because of less physical activity and a lifestyle similar to that of urban residents. Different studies show that rapid urbanisation is also affecting the rural lifestyle.

As a result, people living in villages and adjoining towns complain of hypertension and diabetics leading to heart ailments,” said Dr Arup Das Biswas, a senior interventional cardiologist.

“It’s true that people living in villages are also complaining of cardiac problems because of the change in lifestyle,” said Dr Manotosh Panja, former director of the institute of cardiovascular science at the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research as well as SSKM hospital.

We will recommend the poor patients to SSKM’s cardiology department for follow up treatment if we find any major cardiac problems in the camp,” Mandal said. Cardio patients in rural areas often have trouble availing quality healthcare, especially in the event of medical emergency.