105 patients undergo free angioplasty at Jayadeva 

As many as 105 patients, all from weaker sections of society, got a new lease of life thanks to angioplasty workshops conducted by Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru and Mysuru.

The procedures were conducted in collaboration with Govindraju Subramani Heart Foundation and Medtronic Vascular Division, Santa Rosa, U.S. The angioplasties and stenting procedures were conducted over a period of three days from September 15 to 17.

Most of the patients were poor agriculturists, daily wage labourers, auto-rickshaw drivers, footpath vendors, garment workers and financially constrained senior citizens from across Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar. With one patient requiring more than one stent, around 120 stents were given free of cost to the patients.

Jayadeva director B. Dinesh said heart attack related diseases are steadily increasing even among poor people, in rural areas and are occurring at younger ages. Of the 105 patients, 25% were below 50 years and 28% were women. The youngest patient was a 28-year-old male in private service and the oldest a 77-year-old male.

“While 60% of the beneficiaries were diabetic, 54% suffered from hypertension. Nearly 33% are smokers and over 35% have high cholesterol levels. Heart attack-related disease is no more a disease of the elite class and elderly population. It is also affecting the younger age group, women and poor people,” said Dr. Dinesh.