STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Continuing his sustained efforts to promote preventive healthcare at the grassroots level, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College Jammu, organized a day-long cardiac awareness and health check-up camp at Sarv Shakti Chandi Mata Mandir. The initiative aimed to educate people about heart health and provide early screening services to reduce morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular diseases.
While interacting with the public, Dr. Sharma emphasized that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally and pose a major challenge to modern healthcare systems. He noted that low- and middle-income countries face a particularly severe burden due to rapid urbanization, changing lifestyles, and limited healthcare resources. Beyond premature deaths, CVDs lead to long-term disability, reduced productivity, and significant economic strain on families and nations.
He explained that CVDs include conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease. The burden arises not only from sudden life-threatening events like heart attacks and strokes but also from chronic conditions that require lifelong care. In developing regions, where healthcare systems are already managing infectious diseases and maternal-child health issues, the rising prevalence of heart disease presents an additional complex challenge. Highlighting prevention as the most effective and cost-efficient strategy, Dr. Sharma stressed the importance of lifestyle modifications. He encouraged adopting healthy dietary habits with reduced salt, unhealthy fats, and sugars, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption. He underscored that community awareness campaigns, school health programs, and primary care interventions are essential to achieving sustainable behavioral change.
Among all modifiable risk factors, hypertension was identified as the most significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Dr. Sharma pointed out that large-scale screening and treatment programs for high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia can be effectively implemented at the primary healthcare level, even in resource-limited settings. He further elaborated on the importance of timely management of acute cardiovascular events. Rapid recognition of symptoms and immediate medical intervention in cases of heart attacks and strokes are crucial to minimizing death and disability. Efficient emergency services, standardized treatment protocols, and public awareness of warning signs can dramatically improve outcomes.
While preventive care forms the backbone of cardiovascular management, Dr. Sharma added that certain patients require advanced procedures such as coronary angioplasty, bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, and device implantation. Expanding equitable access to these specialized services demands long-term investment, workforce training, and strategic healthcare planning. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Sharma stated that cardiovascular diseases pose an enormous yet preventable threat to global health. A balanced approach that integrates prevention, primary care strengthening, access to essential medicines, timely acute care, and supportive public health policies can significantly reduce the burden of heart disease. Investing in cardiovascular health, he said, is an investment in national development and human well-being.
The Management Committee of Sarv Shakti Chandi Mata Mandir, including Sanjay Gandotra, Vikram Bhasin, Gaurav Bhasin, Davinder Singh, Jung Bahadur, and Thakur Vikas Singh Jamwal, commended Dr. Sharma and his team for organizing the camp and appreciated their efforts in promoting community health.
The initiative was supported by Dr. Bhola Kumar and Dr. Adarsh Sharma, along with paramedics and volunteers including Dr. Rajkumar, Ranjeet Singh, Irfan Hasan, Vishal Padha, Jatin Bhasin, Mukesh Kumar, Anmol Singh, Gokul Jamwal, Shubham Sharma, Mohd Altaf, Rahul Vaid, Maninder Singh, Gourav Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Amnish Datta, Vikas Kumar, and Nirvair Singh Bali.