HYDERABAD: At least 57% of 1,70,145 medically registered deaths related to heart and pulmonary ailments has been observed in Telangana. According to the Union home ministry’s report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) the state has lost as many as 96,982 lives to diseases of the circulatory system in 2014.
Telangana ranks the highest percentage of deaths in the country, where the national average is 32%. Andhra Pradesh stood slightly higher than the average at 32.7%. The MCCD report, also states that Telangana stood second with 13% deaths due to parasitic infections.
Dr.MSS Mukherjee, a cardiologist said.”Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of heart attacks and deaths among middle and old-aged people. Circulatory arrest due to unstable blood pressure is another major reason.”
According to the doctors, Coronary artery disease is a condition where a waxy substance gets deposited in the arteries connected to the heart and block the supply of oxygenated blood. Almost 60% of the people suffering from this die of heart attacks.
Aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the inside of the aorta causes blood to flow between the layers of the wall of the aorta, forcing the layer apart which leads to death in some of the cases.
Dr. Mukesh, former vice president of the Telangana chapter of Cardiology Society of India said “consumption of gudumba and water contaminated with fluoride also lead to heart ailments”, he added. “In the cities, air pollution is also a silent killer.”
Dr. K Narasaraju, a cardiologist said.”Prevention is the only cure here as the diseases are not symptomatic at times. It is high time that people make important lifestyle changes, exercise and go for a regular medical check-up.”