A recent medical study conducted in Guwahati has provided crucial insights into the profile of heart attack patients in Assam and the broader Northeast region, revealing a concerning trend of relatively young patients and a significant gender disparity.
Key Demographics and Risk Factors Uncovered
The research, carried out by the cardiology department of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) during the Covid-19 period, found that the average age of patients suffering from heart attacks ranges between 43 and 67 years. The mean age was calculated at 55 years, with a standard deviation of 12 years.
One of the most striking findings is the overwhelming vulnerability of men. Out of the 150 patients studied who underwent coronary angioplasty and stent implantation, 135 were male, accounting for 90% of the cohort. The study identified hypertension and dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels) as the most prevalent risk factors. Hypertension was detected in 93 patients (62%), while dyslipidemia was found in 86 patients (57%).
Procedure Success and Patient Outcomes
The study, co-authored by Prof Pranab J Bhattacharyya of GMCH and Dr Kumar Pankaj Prabhat of Narayan Medical College, examined patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), a procedure to open blocked heart arteries. These patients represent a high-risk group, often arriving with acute conditions.
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), particularly a major heart attack known as STEMI, was the most common reason for the procedure, making up over 70% of cases. The research affirmed that PCI is a safe and effective treatment in the region, with procedural success rates being notably high, typically between 93.6% and 99.3%.
Complications were observed in 10% to 18% of patients, with 'slow flow or no-reflow' being the most frequent minor issue, occurring in 6.67% of cases. Reassuringly, in-hospital mortality rates were found to be generally low, ranging from approximately 0.67% to 1.7%.
Regional Implications and Study Limitations
The findings, published in the December edition of the international journal 'Cureus', highlight the substantial burden of risk factors and acute heart events among PCI patients in Northeast India. The study also noted that the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery is the most commonly blocked vessel in these cases.
While the study offers vital local data, the researchers acknowledged its limitation as a single-centre analysis. They emphasized that broader, multicentre studies would be necessary to further validate and expand upon these findings, providing a more comprehensive picture of cardiovascular health in the region.
This research underscores the critical need for targeted public health interventions focusing on the control of hypertension and cholesterol, especially among the male population in their productive middle age, to curb the rising tide of heart attacks in Assam and neighbouring states.
