Quality Of Life: ‘binge-eating, Hrs Of Pandal-hopping Lead To Spike In Cardiac Arrest Cases’ | Kolkata News

Kolkata: Several private hospitals across the city saw a significant spike in the number of patients who suffered heart attacks during the puja period, a phenomenon which is referred to as ‘festive heart syndrome’ or a cardiac condition triggered by sudden exertion, excitement or binge-eating or drinking. Many of them had a severe ‘myocardial infarction’ or a heart attack precipitated by blocked arteries, following a period of celebration, mostly after partying till late night or long periods of pandal-hopping. A significant number of these patients are aged below 40, said doctors.BP Poddar Hospital saw 51 patients admitted with cardiac arrests between October 21and 26. As many as 14 were admitted on October 24 and more such patients could be wheeled in over the next few days, feared doctors at the hospital. “We have received patients with heart attacks very frequently during puja, most of them being middle-aged. Most common triggers have been exertion, sudden excitement or those with a history of irregular and unhealthy diet and binge-drinking,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, CEO, BP Poddar Hospital.At AMRI Hospitals, 20 patients were rushed in following heart attacks between October 21 and 24 across its three units. Charnock Hospital received 14 heart attack patients during the festive period, which is higher than usual, said the authorities.Peerless Hospital conducted six emergency angioplasties between October 17 and 24. Fortis Hospital cadio-thoracic surgeon KM Mandana said sudden ‘unaccustomed exertion’ may lead to a heart attack. “If someone is not used to long walks and indulges in hours of pandal-hopping, the cardio-vascular system may not be able to take it. Secondly, these patients often have an underlying, undetected cardiac condition like blocked arteries or cardiomyopathy which can flare up due to exertion. A lung condition like pneumonia or COPD, too, can trigger a sudden cardiac arrest which often turns out to be fatal. It is during festivals like Durga Puja when many choose to ignore healthy routines . The cardiac system fails to take the stress,” said Mandana. A sudden change in routine and the tendency to throw caution to the winds are responsible for festive heart syndrome, according to Chakrabarty. “Consumption of unhealthy food and physical exertion for four to five days may increase the bad cholesterol level (LDL, VLDL) and trigger cardiac issues. We received 20% to 25% more cardiac cases than the usual number of patients complaining of chest pain which, on probe, revealed a whole spectrum of coronary artery diseases,” added Chakrabarty.A significant percentage of patients had a concomitant comorbidity associated with myocardial infarction, most commonly hypertension and diabetes, said some hospitals. Undetected co-morbidities are often a trigger for festive heart syndrome, said RN Tagore Hospital intensivist Sauren Panja. “It is the middle-aged population which is at a greater risk for they are more likely to have developed a concealed cardiac condition that gets aggravated by a sudden change in sleeping, eating and drinking pattern,” Panja said.



Source link