Home / Health / Maharashtra Tackles Heart Attacks: 58 Lakh ECGs Done
Maharashtra Tackles Heart Attacks: 58 Lakh ECGs Done
30 Sep
Summary
- Nearly 58 lakh ECGs performed in seven years.
- Over 34,000 critical STEMI cases identified.
- One in four cardiac procedure patients under 50.
Maharashtra's initiative to expedite heart attack detection and treatment has yielded significant results over the last seven years, with nearly 58 lakh ECGs performed and over 34,000 critical STEMI cases identified. This highlights the substantial impact of cardiac diseases statewide.
A recent three-year analysis of cardiac procedures at SevenHills Reliance Foundation Hospital showed that nearly 25% of patients were under 50 years old. This finding underscores a dual challenge: the need for rapid diagnosis and the increasing prevalence of serious cardiovascular conditions among younger individuals.
Launched in 2020, Maharashtra's STEMI program employs a hub-and-spoke model. ECGs from government health facilities are analyzed remotely by specialists, allowing for rapid diagnosis and immediate clot-busting treatment. Patients are then referred to specialized hub hospitals for further procedures like angiography and angioplasty.
The program has expanded to cover 34 districts through 2,415 spoke facilities and 134 hub hospitals. These hubs include empanelled medical colleges, private hospitals, and charitable institutions offering treatment under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, often free of charge for eligible patients.
Cardiologists note a concerning trend of coronary disease appearing in individuals in their 40s and even younger, influenced by factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and obesity. The Cardiological Society of India recommends regular lipid profile evaluations for all individuals starting by age 18.
