Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Wednesday said that heart attack and stroke patients in Kashmir are dying because they do not get lifesaving treatment in time.
Voicing concern over high mortality and morbidity among heart attack and stroke patients, President DAK Dr. Nisar ul Hassan in a statement said that these patients die due to delay in treatment.
Many of these deaths and disabilities can be prevented if these patients receive early treatment. Time is the essence when it comes to heart attack and stroke and sooner they receive treatment, the better the chances of survival, he said.
Although the benefits of early treatment in these patients are clear, only a miniscule number of patients receive optimally timed treatment. Early treatment with fibrinolytic therapy (clot busting drug) substantially decreases mortality in these life threatening diseases, he said.
He said the majority of deaths in heart attack patients occur within first hour of onset of symptoms and these patients are maximally benefited, if they receive treatment within 30 minutes
Due to lack of treatment facilities in peripheral hospitals, these patients are referred to tertiary care hospitals in Srinagar and they either die in transit or reach hospital in morbid condition, he said.
He said even if some patients reach tertiary care hospitals in time, they do not receive preferred treatment, which is angioplasty because the staff is missing and cath lab remains closed in emergency time when it is needed most.
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 that 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, he said.
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