TOP cardiologists Monday allayed a social-media-driven alarm saying that not every sudden death can be attributed to heart attack.
The medical response came a day after some media reports In Srinagar attributed six deaths in 24 hours in the Kashmir valley to suspected heart attacks. Nearly a dozen deaths in a day before that had greatly panicked Kashmir. Ascribed to heart attacks, these sudden deaths have filled Kashmir’s virtual platform with shock.
However, Dr. Hilal Rather, Head of Cardiology Department, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), said that some news reports can be deceptive and that there’s a clear distinction between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest.
“Those who say all sudden deaths occur because of heart attacks should come up with evidence to prove it. These expires can be sudden cardiac deaths as well,” Dr. Hilal said.
“We need to make a clear distinction between heart attacks and cardiac arrests. They’re two different things.”
Stating that not every sudden death can be attributed to heart attack, the cardiologist said: “Heart attack is usually caused by a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. But in cardiac arrest, the heart abruptly stops beating and without prompt intervention, it can result in the person’s death.”
However, in heart attack cases, the doctor said, only 8 to 10 percent of people die if they reach hospitals in time.
“But if someone dies while sleeping,” Dr. Hilal said, “it can be because of brain hemorrhage or a cardiac arrest, as happens in sudden death cases of young athletes and bodybuilders. They don’t usually die due to heart attacks, but because of other reasons, like brain hemorrhage. So, we should stop attributing every sudden death to heart attack.”
But during winters, the cardiologist added, a spike is usually noted in heart attacks across Kashmir valley.
“During the cold season,” the cardiologist said, “the SKIMS receives at least 5 to 7 patients daily for heart attacks. It’s a normal, and mostly, treatable footfall. Hence, the hype created around heart attacks on social media should not be taken seriously.”
Seconding him, Dr. Khalid Mohiuddin, Head of Department, Cardiology, Super Specialty Hospital, Srinagar termed heart attack as a common health condition across the world.
“Social media has made reporting easy and there’s information bias,” Dr. Khalid said. “Some decades back we did not have so many information channels. Sometimes, false and exaggerated information is spread by virtue of this medium. Let me tell you, most people survive heart attacks.”
Heart attack might be the main reason for cardiac arrest, but, as the cardiologists reiterate, there are other reasons as well.
“Mode of death gives an insight of what has led to the demise of the particular individual,” Dr. Khalid said.
“Those who expire abruptly die of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). And the death in that case happens as the heart stops pumping blood supply to the brain and the person becomes unconscious and falls.”
In order to keep a tab on heart, Dr. Khalid suggests ECG for every school-going child. “Those playing cricket or going to gyms should see a cardiologist to rule out any issue,” he advised.
“The elderly, diabetic, hypertensive, smokers and obese people should try to stay warm during winters as the cold weather is known to induce these attacks.”
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