Maharashtra has conducted nearly 58 lakh ECG tests under its cardiac health programme and identified more than 34,000 critical STEMI heart attack cases. The state launched the STEMI programme in 2020 to improve early detection and ensure that patients receive treatment without delay.
Faster Diagnosis and Treatment
The programme uses a hub-and-spoke model that connects local healthcare centres with specialist hospitals. Doctors can review ECG reports remotely within minutes. As a result, healthcare workers can begin initial treatment quickly and refer patients to specialised centres for procedures such as angiography and angioplasty.
According to The Times of India, the programme now covers 34 districts, 2,415 spoke facilities and 134 hub centres, expanding access to cardiac care across the state.
Heart Disease Among Younger Adults
At the same time, hospitals are reporting cardiac procedures among younger patients. Data from a three-year analysis showed that nearly one in four patients undergoing cardiac procedures was below 50 years of age.
Risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and family history can increase the chances of heart disease.
Importance of Early Action
Therefore, regular health check-ups and timely screening can help detect cardiovascular problems early. Greater awareness of risk factors, combined with quick access to diagnosis and treatment, can help reduce complications and improve cardiac care across Maharashtra.