Dr Sushil conducts awareness camp to combat growing cardiovascular diseases

Jammu, Aug 11: Dr Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu, conducted a daylong cardiac awareness and health check-up camp at Kgee Playway School in Muthi, Jammu.
The event, part of his ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the importance of preventing cardiac ailments through heart-healthy lifestyles, aimed to highlight the increasing incidence of cardiac diseases and promote various preventative measures.
During his interaction with attendees, Dr Sushil said that cardio-metabolic diseases, which include heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. “Smoking, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets are the primary contributors to this rise. These conditions impose a significant socioeconomic burden on countries of all income levels, making it crucial to address them for the health of future generations,” he said in a statement.
Dr Sushil elaborated on the alarming rise of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in India, saying they are now the leading cause of death and disability in the country.
The CVD epidemic in India is characterized by a higher relative risk, earlier onset, higher case fatality, and a greater number of premature deaths compared to other populations, he said. “This increased burden can be partially attributed to population-level changes and inherent biological risks, including phenotypic changes influenced by early life factors,” he said.
The noted cardiologist identified six major transitions—epidemiological, demographic, nutritional, environmental, socio-cultural, and economic—that have significantly contributed to these changes in India.
To combat the growing CVD epidemic, Dr Sharma called for a multifaceted and holistic approach to prevention that addresses both population-level and biological risk factors. He highlighted the importance of considering prenatal influences, such as maternal and paternal health, as well as postnatal factors that impact health from birth through adulthood.
Recent research, he said, underscores the significance of inherent biological differences in lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammatory responses, genetic predispositions, and epigenetic factors that increase the risk of CVD among Indians.
The event was well-received by the local community, with prominent area members including Raman Chalotra, Vir Vikram, Kavi Raj Sharma, Kuldeep Raj Sharma, Kadar Sharma, and Ajay Sharma expressing their gratitude to Dr Sushil and his team for their efforts in organizing the cardiac awareness and health check-up camp, the statement said, adding that they appreciated the valuable health information provided to the community.
The camp also featured the participation of Dr Yashwant Sharma, along with a team of paramedics and volunteers.