World Heart Day 2017 : Younger Mauritians affected by coronary heart disease

This Friday 29 September marks the observance of World Heart Day. The theme chosen this year by the World Heart Federation is ‘Share the Power’. An initiative of the World Heart Federation, the aim of the World Heart Day is to inform people around the globe that cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.5 million lives each year.

In Mauritius, the number of cases of myocardial infarction is worrying, especially since its victims are getting younger and younger. In fact between 4,500 and 5,000 patients are hospitalized each year because of myocardial infarction (heart attack). The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is as concerned about these figures as the trend that has developed over the last decade.

“Myocardial infarction affects more and more young people. Between 20% and 30% of people hospitalised as a result of a heart attack are in the 30-40 age bracket. Those 40 to 60 years of age make up 40% of patients who have a heart attack,” explained Dr. Nizam Domah, head of cardiology at Victoria Hospital.

The main factors related to the rejuvenation of coronary heart disease are sedentary lifestyle, inappropriate diet and poor hygiene. Diabetes and/or poorly controlled hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol and smoking are contributing factors.

Every day, the Cardiac Unit at Victoria Hospital receives an average of 200 to 250 outpatients. As for the number of cases seen in the emergency department, it varies between 30 and 50 daily. About fifteen patients are hospitalised. For each patient, the Mauritian state spends on average between Rs 250,000 and Rs 300,000 for diagnosis and treatment, which extends to angioplasty (coronary artery bypass surgery). For the most serious cases, where surgery is required, the sum spent amounts to Rs 350,000.

Ram Nookadee, secretary of the NGO Heart Foundation, expressed much satisfaction regarding the care provided to cardiac patients in Mauritius. “We have an efficient system. In addition to two cardiac centres in the North and Victoria Hospital respectively, the other hospitals have a cardiac unit,” he said. He trusts that more awareness is needed and underlined that the Heart Route, program initiated by the Heart Foundation, takes place every month in a different region in the island to inform the Mauritian public about cardiovascular diseases.
The number of deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases worldwide is estimated at 17.5 million, that is 31% of the total mortality. According to Dr Laurent Musango, representative of the World Health Organization in Mauritius, they are the leading cause of death in the world. It is estimated that one in 10 people aged between 30 and 70 years dies of cardiovascular disease every year and that at least 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease can be prevented.

The aim of the theme chosen for this year, ‘Share the Power’, is to encourage people to share their knowledge with others in order to educate them on the healthy lifestyle they should adopt as a prevention of heart disease. In Mauritius, a series of activities will be launched by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to mark the annual observance. The various activities comprise screening exercises, talks, and exhibitions on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their risk factors, as well as campaigns on obesity, keep fit, prevention of tobacco use, healthy living, amongst others.

In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends interventions at both the population and individual levels. In the first category, WHO advocates, inter alia, comprehensive tobacco control strategies, healthy eating, regular physical activity and reduction of harmful use of alcohol.

With regard to individual interventions, WHO proposes targeting individuals with a cardiovascular risk, the total average to be raised, and those with risk factors (diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia) that exceed the recommended thresholds.