The Association of Physicians of India (API) and Abbott are co-hosting the first-ever Angina Awareness Week from June 19th to 25th, aiming to increase awareness about early diagnosis and optimal management of angina to improve patient outcomes and reduce cardiac event risks.
Angina, a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), manifests as chest pain or discomfort. India has the second-highest cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rate globally. Early detection of angina, which can also present as lightheadedness, arm pain, and back discomfort, is crucial. Obesity, particularly in women, is a strong risk factor for angina.
The event introduced the action plan, ‘Optimal Treatment of Angina (OPTA): The Need of the Hour’, which outlines best practices for timely diagnosis and management of angina. The plan highlights the higher CAD mortality rate among Indians and the doubling of CAD-related deaths and disabilities in India over the past 30 years. Common angina symptoms in Indians, such as shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea, often lead to missed diagnoses. Women frequently experience atypical symptoms like jaw pain, exhaustion, and non-chest discomfort, complicating diagnosis further.
The action plan emphasizes the adoption of tools for faster risk detection and a comprehensive management strategy by healthcare professionals. Minimally invasive procedures, connected care devices, and AI-powered diagnostics are expected to play crucial roles in early detection, monitoring, and personalized treatment options. These advancements, combined with growing heart health awareness and an improving healthcare infrastructure, promise a better future for cardiac care in India.
As reported by HealthcareRaduis, early identification of angina enables interventions to delay disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and reduce the risk of severe cardiac events. Abbott has developed three tools to support angina diagnosis, prognosis, and management: the OPTA clinical checklist, questionnaire, and approach, which the API recommends for aiding healthcare professionals in timely diagnosis.