Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 3 : A team of Doctors, Head of the Cardiology department of Government Medical College and Superspeciality Hospital, Jammu Dr. Sushil Sharma began year 2016 held a day long camp at the Home for Aged and Infirm (HFAI) Amphalla Jammu.
Accompanied by a team of young doctors, paramedics and volunteers, Dr. Sushil Sharma reached the Home for Aged and Infirm (HFAI) Amphalla and started scanning inmates of the old age home for prevalence of cardiac diseases. Dr. Sushil took special care of those who were unable to move or walk. They were thoroughly checked and free medicines were given as per the requirements.
Dr. Sushil while interacting with the inmates referred to High blood pressure being more common with advancing age, and so are its associated complications, of stroke, kidney disease, heart attack, and heart failure.
He said that elderly people should have blood pressure measured annually, and high levels (generally defined as 150/90 mm Hg and above) should be treated.
The notion has long persisted that a certain degree of high blood pressure is a normal part of the aging process, and may even be necessary to pump sufficient blood to vital organs, said Dr. Sushil.
He added that more recently, convincing evidence has been gathered that hypertension in the elderly is not benign. Even in old age, lowering elevated blood pressure can save lives. Control of hypertension may not be achieved as readily as in younger patients, but even so, partial treatment can lower the rate of potentially serious complications, said Dr. Sushil.
He maintained that natural physiologic changes in old age will somewhat lessen efficiency of the heart.
He further said that aging heart (as well as the blood vessels) becomes less elastic, so it is not able to relax as completely between beats.
He added that physiologic changes in the heart and blood vessels make the elderly more prone to certain types of cardiovascular disease.
These include isolated systolic hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, heart failure, certain valve disorders (particularly of the aortic valve), and certain rhythm abnormalities, particularly bradycardias, or slow rhythms, he also said.
Dr. Sushil informed the inmates that many of these heart ailments can be treated by medication, while others are helped by surgery or pacemakers. In mild cases, life-style changes may be enough. He stressed that in many cases, drug treatment is successful and preferred over surgery or other invasive therapy. This is primarily because the risks associated with these procedures are somewhat higher in the elderly, especially those with other health problems, and because the recovery period is usually longer, he further informed.
He promised the inmates that he would be available for them round the clock.
"I am always available for you all. Treat me as your own and knock my door whenever you wish to. |
