BENGALURU, India -- Bangalore September 12, 2013: Fortis Hospitals today announces the launch of “Attack the Attack”, a public awareness initiative to educate the importance of recognizing heart attacks and emergency measures for timely treatment. The initiative was launched with a book “Heart Attack and the Hidden Secret for Survival” in the presence of Shri U T Khader, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, said “Heart diseases account for over 80% of deaths in India. Almost 50% of these deaths are due to dearth of immediate care within the first hour of cardiac emergency. Such eventualities can be avoided with appropriate awareness and timely care. Therefore, we have taken the responsibility of spreading the awareness through this public education program”.
The book is meant for public to understand early symptoms of heart attack, myths associated and how symptoms go unrecognized, risk factors, treatment options and few real life stories of heart attack survivors. It also has a Heart Attack Exit Plan - a guide to follow during a heart attack. This exit plan explains in order- recognizing early symptoms & emergency measures to reach out to the nearest hospital which has facilities like ECG & ICU.
“Almost 50% of the people suffering from heart attack do not reach hospital and die within the first 24 hours of the episode. Early recognition, awareness of heart attack and reaching hospital on time is the key factor responsible for surviving a heart attack. Untimely action and negligence during heart attacks have resulted in loss of countless lives. Cardiac problems can occur to the healthiest people. Even when the situation seems completely out of control, expert medical care administered at the right time can quickly turn things around” explains Dr. Venketesh S, Interventional Cardiologists, Fortis.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri U T Khader, Minister of Health & Family Welfare says, “This kind of an initiative will help create more awareness to recognize symptoms for early detection and treatment of heart attacks and ways to reach tertiary care centres on time for better chance of survival and recovery. There is an utmost need to create more education on understanding risk factors & prevention of heart attack and lifestyle modification – no smoking, no tobacco, know Lipid profile, active lifestyle amongst the younger population”.
“There are approximately 45 million patients of coronary artery disease in India, with 28.6 lakh heart attack incidents occurring every year. Studies now show that heart ailments have replaced communicable diseases as the biggest killer in rural & urban India. Half of all people having a heart attack wait for more than three to four hours before getting help. Some people feel it would be embarrassing to have a “false alarm” and many are on a denial mode and don’t accept it to be a heart attack ” says Dr. Gopi A, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis.
The information booklet and the Heart Attack Exit Plan will be available at various Fortis Hospitals located in the city (Bannerghatta Road, Cunningham Road, Seshadripuram, Rajajinagar and Nagarbhavi). The same can also be downloaded from www.attacktheattack.com.
