Cardiovascular diseases have emerged as the looming health scourge of Pakistan, which does not only pose public health but also economic threatening potential. The WHO highlights the trend of alarmingly increasing the CVD cases in the country. Quite a few lifestyle, environmental, and socio-economic factors contribute to this upsurge trend. The blog will discuss the present situation of cardiovascular health in Pakistan, causes that are precipitating this fast-growing epidemic, implications for public health, and recommendations for prevention and management.
About Cardiovascular Diseases
Generally, heart and blood vessel ailments denote
cardiovascular diseases; usually, such diseases include coronary artery
disease, heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. The majority of these can be
prevented and controlled by change in lifestyle and by recourse to some form of
medical care.
Causes of Cardiovascular Diseases in Pakistan
Lack of Healthy Life Style
Pakistan’s dietary pattern has undergone a revolution that
simply could not have been imagined some two decades back. High amounts of raw
food products especially fruits, vegetables and whole grain products have been
reported to be available within the traditional diets. However, in the recent
past, these have slowly been substituted by refined foods that contain a lot of
sugar, salt and unhealthful fats. All these are linked to obesity, high blood
pressure, and high cholesterol levels-all the predisposing conditions for one
or more other CVD.
Physical Inactivity
The rates of the physical activities have reduced in people
due to urbanization and modernization. Majority of people spend several hours
in an office performing their work instead of undertaking physical activities
because they fear being dismisses or due to reliance on cars to move around and
few play areas. This prevalence will increase the chances of obesity, together
with related cardiovascular diseases.
High smoking Prevalence
One of the major risk factors that do persist in association
with cardiovascular diseases is the prevalence of smoking. Even in this modern
era, Pakistan is rated among the higher-prevalent rates of smoking in this
region, and consumption of tobacco has now become one of the most adopted
commonalities among the males as well as females. Smoking introduces the
pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is an impediment to arterial walls that
increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes dramatically.
Hypertension and Diabetes
These are the commonly known as hypertension and diabetes
which are gaining an alarming rate in Pakistan. This increased prevalence
condition occasioned by poor diet and reduced physical activity has aggravated
the risk to cardiovascular diseases by some genetic factors.
Environmental Factors
Pakistan city happens to choke on contaminants entering
through air-polluted atmosphere. Matter particulate is one of them, followed by
industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust contributing to cardiovascular
diseases. There has been proof that bad air quality degrades the already
prevailing health condition and increases the risks for heart diseases.
Socio-Economic Factors
The main load of cardiovascular diseases in Pakistan is
attributed to economic inequalities, along with lowest health care services.
Many lack preventive care, timely diagnosis, and proper management of treatment
facilities; therefore, delayed interventions with poor health outcomes.
Cardiovascular diseases are rapidly assuming the status of a
significant public health issue in Pakistan. However, the burden of CVDs is
exponentially increased these days, and more of this comes from strained health
systems, increased healthcare costs, and loss of productivity. Of course, this
also causes increased morbidity and early death along with economic instability
within families and communities.
Health System Strain
Health facilities in Pakistan hardly cope up with the
soaring cases of CVD. What helps it largely is the fact that there are hardly
any specialized cardiac care centers, experienced health professionals, or
available resources in health facilities; all these lead to no timely and
effective care. The pressure put on the health system by such people would thus
result in unwarranted complications and increased mortality rates.
Economic Effects
Cardiovascular diseases impact the economy significantly.
High cost of healthcare, productivity loss due to illness, and early death can
be collectively caused to the highest impact on both families and the economy.
According to WHO, it is anticipated that CVDs will increase an economic burden
over $1 trillion a year in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 .
Prevention and Management Strategies
This calls for a three-pronged approach that has the rising
burden of cardiovascular disease. In all these, the behavior-change approach,
community, and policy change approaches have to be included.
1. Education Campaigns
Public awareness activities for diseases and risk factors of
cardiovascular diseases should be taken. Mass public health campaigns can pass
the message to a large population - to eat healthy, to be active physically,
and to quit smoking. Education through schools, workplaces, and communities
will ensure maximum coverage of the population.
2. Healthy Lifestyles
Another area that finds a central place in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases is the encouragement of healthy lifestyles. This would be done through a process of elimination of such things like processed foods, excessive salt and sugar, while incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grain and lean protein in to the diet.
Community programs, public parks, and recreational facilities will be encouraged for right physical activities against sedentary lifestyles. Smoking Cessation Programs: Smoking cessation programs are designed to help patients quit smoking so their risk to CVD can be reduced.
3. Healthcare Systems
Strengthening healthcare systems and improving access to
healthcare services can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. It
encompasses,
- Healthcare Provider Education: Healthcare providers must be
educated on the identification and delivery of the risk factors for CVD.
- Improvement in Diagnostic and Treatment Infrastructure: Supplying Diagnostic equipment, Cardiac Care Units, and Cheap medicines can help in their early detection and treatment.
4. Policy Measures
Government policies are the bridges to bridge the gaps in
risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Among these measures include,
- Food Industry Regulation: Standardization in food labeling,
decreasing unhealthy advertisements, and encouraging healthy food items may
change their diet.
- Setting and implementing standards for air quality reduces pollution. This further means reduced exposure of people to risk factors detrimental to environmental health.
5. Community Mobilization
The involvement of the communities in the activities of health
promotion will help in adopting a healthy attitude towards lifestyle and health
preventive measures. It may empower the community health workers to advise the
people of risk pertaining to cardiovascular health and gain access to their
service.
Conclusion
This surge alarmingly increased trend of cardiovascular
disease in Pakistan has stirred up a new call to action only at a time when an
urge is even nothing but an urgent appeal to wake the conscience of this
nation. At this critical juncture, it is dealing with a public health crisis
further added by bad lifestyle habits, environmental reasons, and
socio-economic challenges this country goes through.
Strategically, Pakistan shall have to fight the ever-emerging
threats of cardiovascular diseases with all-round strategies that will induct
and promote healthy lifestyle practices, strengthen health systems, and involve
the communities in building a healthier future for all.
Please book an appointment with the Best Cardiologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.
