Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: To sensitize the common populace regarding how poor air quality standards are responsible for the global burden and increased rates of hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diseases, Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum health check up camp at Upper Jandial Block Mathwar Jammu. More than 250 people were screened, evaluated and diagnosed for various health ailments. Tests like ECG and Blood Sugar were done and free medicines were also given as per the requirements
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that ambient air pollution is a growing global health problem estimated to contribute to as many as 3.1 million all-cause deaths per year. “Exposure to air pollution is the largest environmental health risk and ranks ninth among modifiable disease risk factors, above other common factors such as low physical activity, high cholesterol and drug use. Most of the excess deaths attributable to air pollution exposure are due to acute ischemic/thrombotic cardiovascular events. In addition to excess mortality, air pollution is associated with significant reductions in healthy life years and worker productivity,” Dr Sharma said.
He elaborated that air pollution is a heterogeneous, complex mixture of gases, liquids, and particulate matter. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a consistent increased risk for cardiovascular events in relation to both short- and long-term exposure to present-day concentrations of ambient particulate matter. Several plausible mechanistic pathways have been described, including enhanced coagulation/thrombosis, a propensity for arrhythmias, acute arterial vasoconstriction, systemic inflammatory responses and the chronic promotion of atherosclerosis. Air pollution has adverse effects on health, particularly CVS. It can precipitate acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest. Air pollution with particulate matter (both fine and coarse) has been correlated to both CVS and total mortality, he said.
He added that Diwali the festival of lights, hope and prosperity is around the corner. “It is the time to celebrate togetherness with oodles of happiness however, we need to remember enjoyment and health go hand in hand.”
Others who were part of this humane effort included Dr Yashwant Sharma and Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor Paramedics and Volunteers who were part of the team Included Ranjeet Singh, Raghav Rajput, Rajkumar, Mukesh Kumar, Nirvair Singh Bali, Arun Singh, Rohit Nayyar, Rajinder Singh, Makhan Sharma, Amish Jamwal, Rahul Sharma, Gourav Sharma and Vikas Kumar.
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