Strengthen research, cardiac rehab for better care: Experts | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Unlike developed countries where cardiac rehabilitation is an established practice, India still lags behind in this crucial area of heart care.Experts at the 5th Annual Research Day of Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) on Friday underlined that India must strengthen cardiac rehabilitation services to prevent deaths from recurring heart conditions.Dr Sudhir Rathore, interventional cardiologist at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey, United Kingdom, said that while procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery save lives, patients often fall ill again due to lack of rehabilitation.“In India, after angioplasty or bypass, patients are discharged with medicines but there is little guidance on structured rehabilitation. In contrast, developed countries ensure supervised walking, exercise, counselling, and regular monitoring. This reduces repeat heart attacks and deaths. About 30% of Indian patients face disease recurrence, which can be prevented if cardiac rehabilitation is taken seriously,” he said.“India already has the infrastructure to develop AI-based apps or adopt apps to monitor patients,” he added. He advised patients to walk daily, exercise regularly, take medicines on time, and undergo periodic check-ups.Director, RMLIMS, Prof CM Singh said heart disease should be treated with urgency. “This illness gives no warning. Families with a history of cardiac problems should remain cautious and undergo timely tests,” he said.Dr Bhuvan Chandra Tiwari, head of cardiology department, RMLIMS, said that simple lifestyle and dietary changes could lower risk. “If someone in the family has heart disease, tests like ECG, echocardiography, blood pressure checks, and x-rays should be done regularly. Early detection can save lives,” he said. He also praised the growing research culture at RMLIMS.Chief guest Prof NK Arora, executive director, INCLEN Trust International, said, “Research is necessary to improve patient care and strengthen evidence-based medicine. Without research, medical practice will stagnate.”
