Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 30: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today alleged that the heart attack and stroke patients in Kashmir are dying in absence of lifesaving treatment in time.
Voicing concern over high mortality and morbidity among heart attack and stroke patients, the president of DAK Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said these patients die due to delay in treatment.
The DAK president said the time is the essence when it comes to heart attack and stroke and sooner they receive treatment, the better the chances of survival. “Although the benefits of early treatment in these patients are clear, only a miniscule number of patients receive optimally timed treatment,” Dr Hassan said.
He said: “Early treatment with fibrinolytic therapy (clot busting drug) substantially decreases mortality in these life threatening diseases. Majority of deaths in heart attack patients occur within first hour of onset of symptoms and these patients are maximally benefitted if they receive treatment within 30 minutes.”
“Angioplasty is the preferred treatment for opening clogged arteries and is a rescue for failed thrombolysis. Stroke patients meet similar fate and even if they reach tertiary care hospitals within the window period they are not offered fibrinolysis,” he said, adding: “Lack of awareness and education among public is also a reason for seeking delayed care. There is no emergency dialing system for these patients which could reduce their time to get medical care.”
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