Benefits of Precision Cardiology and Personalized Care in Addressing Cardiovascular Disease Burden in India
New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) – Health experts emphasized the importance of precision cardiology, a personalized approach that integrates genetics and data science, in combating the high burden of cardiovascular disease in India. According to the World Health Organization, CVDs account for 27% of total deaths in India annually.
Dr. Ziad Ali, Director of Interventional & Structural Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center, Roslyn, New York, highlighted that lifestyle factors such as sedentary habits, poor diet, tobacco use, excessive alcohol intake, and poor sleep patterns contribute to the rising incidence of heart disease. These behaviors lead to conditions like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes.
Precision cardiology combines genetics, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures to prevent, diagnose, and treat CVDs. Dr. Ali stated that this approach integrates molecular biology, genetics, and data science with traditional cardiology to provide individualized care based on a person’s unique characteristics.
In India, precision cardiology can help bridge the gap in cardiovascular care due to the country’s high disease burden and diverse socio-economic conditions. It offers customized care and utilizes advanced techniques to address the needs of individuals, despite challenges such as a large rural population.
Interventional cardiologists use advanced imaging and functional techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) to assess the necessity and nature of interventions. These technologies can detect vulnerable plaque early on, guide stent placement, and predict disease patterns through AI and genetic testing.
Dr. Atul Mathur, Executive Director of Interventional Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, highlighted that precision cardiology provides insights into why patients with the same disease respond differently to treatments. It addresses the cardiac care challenges faced by 21st-century Indians by focusing on early risk assessment, personalized treatment plans, and resource optimization.
