Visakhapatnam Launches Advanced Cardiac Care Command Centre

World Heart Day on September 28, 2026, was observed with a focus on early detection of heart disease symptoms under the theme "Don't Miss a Beat." Apollo Hospitals in Visakhapatnam unveiled an advanced command center, a significant step in enhancing cardiac care. This facility connects a smart ambulance network, tele-ECG services, and telemedicine to nursing homes and an airport medical center.

Through this command center, vital patient data like ECGs can be transmitted to specialists during transit, enabling emergency teams to prepare in advance. The hospital also introduced an AI-based cardiac risk score, a tool that evaluates an individual's 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. This development supports the city's growth as a healthcare hub.

Cardiologists highlighted alarming trends, including India being the 'diabetes capital' and a rise in high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Heart attacks are increasingly affecting individuals under 45, with coronary artery disease appearing a decade earlier than in previous generations. South Asians experience their first heart attack on average at age 53, earlier than in Western populations.

Factors contributing to this trend include abdominal obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, smoking, alcohol, and genetics. Experts stress the importance of early detection and prevention, beginning in schools and homes. Symptoms like chest pressure, breathlessness, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm require immediate medical attention. Regular checks for blood pressure, glucose, and lipids are recommended for individuals over 30, or earlier if there's a family history.