First response team at Kottayam medical college to prevent sudden cardiac deaths: What they do
A study conducted at the Kottayam Medical College in 2018 found that around 12 per cent of people seeking treatment for cardiac arrest are below 45 years.
A study conducted at the Kottayam Medical College in 2018 found that around 12 per cent of people seeking treatment for cardiac arrest are below 45 years.
A study conducted at the Kottayam Medical College in 2018 found that around 12 per cent of people seeking treatment for cardiac arrest are below 45 years.
The Kottayam Medical College recently launched a comprehensive project to prevent sudden collapse and death among youngsters. It's to be implemented jointly by the cardiology and community medicine departments. A first response team has been formed to train the public in life-saving techniques during emergencies. 120 people have been trained in the first phase.
Fifty per cent of deaths due to heart disease happen before the patients are brought to the hospital. Dr Raihanathul Misiriya, the head of the department of cardiology and Dr K Jayaprakash said that the project aims to prevent such deaths. The team, which comprised selected Kudumbasree and health workers, was given training at the medical college’s cardiology department. This team would then train the public. The team that got trained in the first phase will train people at various places in the Ettumanoor block. Meanwhile, teams from other block panchayats, too, would be trained in the medical college hospital.
Reasons for SUDDEN heart attacks among youngsters
• Poor lifestyle choices, lack of exercise and overconsumption of saturated fats
• Junk food and drug addiction
Plan to prevent deaths
• 50 per cent of heart attack deaths happen before the patient reaches the hospital.
• 30 per cent of deaths happen within the first one hour, while 15 per cent of deaths happen within 1- 6 hours, and below 10 per cent in 6 – 24 hours.
12 per cent of heart patients are among people below 45
A study conducted at the Kottayam Medical College in 2018 found that around 12 per cent of people seeking treatment for cardiac arrest are below 45 years. Now, it has gone up to 12.5 per cent. Around 200 cardiac cases per month have been reported at the medical college until now this year. Among them, 25 patients are below the age of 45.
Training
The teams are trained in life-saving techniques like CPR. It is possible to save lives if you can keep the heart beating until the patient is brought to the hospital.