Dr Muthu Dhandapani, Vice President-Quality, Regulatory and Product Delivery, HealthCube emphasises on the role of technology in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases
Do you know India accounts for 20 percent of all the deaths due to heart disease or cardiovascular disease in the world? Indians seem particularly prone to developing heart disease, especially at a younger age. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) also account for nearly 31 per cent of deaths globally. A major cause of this is hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure. A condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high. Experiencing frequent headaches and dizziness, easily getting fatigued, or blurred vision are common symptoms of hypertension.
In recent times, we have also heard of hypertension as a ‘silent killer’ as many individuals are unaware of their condition which may lead to serious damage to the heart. Some shocking facts disclosed in the recent NFHS-5 survey regarding hypertension are- 67 per cent of women aged over 15 years had their blood pressure measured prior to the survey while the remaining 33 per cent have never got their blood pressure measured. 21 per cent of women and 24 per cent of men aged 15 years and over have hypertension. But, when it comes to treatment, only 7 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men diagnosed with hypertension take medications to keep their blood pressure level under control.
Diagnosis of hypertension is difficult in the initial stages and is becoming a global matter of concern. The India Hypertensive Control Initiative (IHCI) has set a target of a 25 per cent relative reduction in hypertension by 2025. Additionally, all over the world clinicians, medical device manufacturers, health experts, and policymakers are aiming to devise ways to identify and treat hypertension as a priority.
The lack of adequate healthcare coverage across different regions of the country makes it even more difficult to identify the patients. Many individuals also face the problem of accessibility and affordability. Hence to popularize prevention amongst the masses especially in rural and remote areas, we need easy and economical diagnostic devices to measure blood pressure.
The ray of hope for India comes courtesy of the healthcare innovators and excellent IT talent that the country has. In recent years, Indian medical device companies have been successfully pursuing the cause of simplifying diagnostic solutions. Some are using advanced technologies to build a suite of smart screening devices capable of measuring biochemical and physiological parameters such as blood pressure. These digital devices integrate cutting-edge AI analytics, smartphone-based communication tools, and cloud platforms to ensure easy coverage irrespective of the location. Many such devices are being extensively tested and deployed at health camps in rural areas, in corporate offices, and in community health centers across the country. Some home screening devices for blood pressure and other vitals include pulse oximetry, temperature, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, etc. Modern digital diagnostic devices facilitate easy self-measurement of the vitals.
To back this up, a study published in Lancet, conducted by Thomas F. Lüscher and his team reported a huge potential in the application of artificial intelligence for the timely management of hypertension. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01483-0/fulltext).
Blood pressure is a rising cause of concern for many and if not diagnosed timely, it can cause major damage. There is ample evidence to prove that self-monitoring of blood pressure is extremely beneficial in hypertension prevention and management. Alongside lifestyle and dietary changes such as avoiding sedentary routine and consumption of tobacco helps create a holistic protective umbrella.
Self-monitoring combined with periodical medical supervision is the most beneficial course of action for all of us today. When clinicians get access to BP monitoring data, they can assess a person’s heart health. In case of any potential risk factors, prompt action and treatment decisions can be taken. It is time that large-scale adoption of such digital BP monitoring devices is encouraged.
While medical science is capable of resolving health issues, timely through smart and regular diagnostics is the key to achieving superior outcomes!