Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 5: Keeping on alive the practice of serving all sections of society with utmost dedication and care Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum health check up camp at Home for the aged and Infirm Ambphalla , Jammu so as to screen elderly at high risk , educate them about cardiac friendly lifestyle and provide them with necessary medications.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health concern among elderly individuals, particularly those residing in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. “The aging process, combined with the high prevalence of comorbidities in this population, significantly increases the risk of developing CVD. Managing these conditions in elderly home-aged patients requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach tailored to their unique needs and vulnerabilities. The most common forms of cardiovascular disease in the elderly include coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and valvular heart disease. These conditions are often driven by a combination of non-modifiable risk factors, such as age and genetic predisposition, and modifiable factors, including smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels,” Dr Sharma said.
He elaborated that the aging process itself contributes to cardiovascular risk through structural and functional changes in the heart and blood vessels. For example, arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction increase with age, promoting atherosclerosis and hypertension. In addition, the presence of comorbid conditions such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes exacerbates the burden of cardiovascular disease in this population. Caring for elderly home-aged patients with cardiovascular disease presents unique challenges. One significant issue is poly pharmacy, as these individuals often require multiple medications to manage not only CVD but also other chronic conditions. This increases the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and medication non-adherence. Furthermore, frailty, characterized by reduced physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to stressors, complicates disease management and heightens the risk of adverse outcomes. Elderly patients often present with atypical symptoms of CVD. For instance, instead of experiencing classic chest pain during a myocardial infarction, they may report fatigue, confusion, or shortness of breath. Cognitive impairment, common in nursing home residents, further complicates diagnosis and treatment by limiting the patient’s ability to communicate symptoms or adhere to prescribed therapies,” Dr Sharma said.
Others who were part of the Camp include Dr Arvind Kohli (Vascular Surgeon) and Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor. Paramedics and volunteers include Kamal Sharma, Rajkumar, Makhan Sharma, Jatin Bhasin, Arun Singh, Akshay Kumar, Gourav Sharma, Nirvair Singh Bali, Paramveer Singh, Shubham Sharma, Amish Jamwal and Vikas Kumar.
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