There is a significant increase in the number of young female patients in Tamil contracting severe coronary artery disease (CAD), says Dr. Arunkumar Ulaganathan, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at KG Hospital, Coimbatore.
“In the past, only one in ten patients undergoing surgery for CAD was female. Today, among five individuals diagnosed with cardiac issues, one is a female. The number of young female patients being diagnosed with cardiac conditions is increasing,” he explains.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for one-fifth of CVD deaths worldwide, especially in the younger population. Research from recent years has revealed that heart disease is increasingly becoming a leading cause of death among women in India.
However, with the advent of new-age technologies like robotic-assisted surgery, now patients are able to get back to normal life quickly after cardiac surgeries.
While talking about this, Dr. Arunkumar said, “Advanced robotic-assisted surgery technologies like the da Vinci has revolutionized the surgical treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as it offers improved surgical precision and faster recovery.
The system provides surgeons with three-dimensional views and unparalleled accuracy, allowing for more delicate and minimally invasive procedures. The enhanced imaging technology helps distinguish damaged areas from healthy tissue, enabling surgeons to treat affected arteries while preserving healthy heart function.
This significantly reduces recovery time — patients can return to their normal routines in just a few days, compared to the longer recovery periods associated with traditional open-heart surgeries. They also experience less pain, fewer complications, and less blood loss, which greatly improves their overall quality of life.”
While talking about the reasons for the rise in cardiac cases in younger women, Dr. Arunkumar said, “We have observed that there are more women from urban areas coming to us with complaints of chest pain and discomfort, which almost always due to CAD. Women are less prone to CVD in general, but in recent days’ early menopause, smoking and alcohol abuse in urban population, and the rise in disorders like PCOD increase their chances for CAD.”
A notable observation made by Dr. Arunkumar is the incidence of unusual or no symptoms during a cardiac episode. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of complications or more severe outcomes.
“While most women experience central chest pain, the increasing prevalence of diabetes in younger individuals can lead to atypical symptoms or even no pain at all, with some cases only being detected during routine health check-ups,” he points out.
To prevent complications and better manage heart health
Dr. Arunkumar stresses upon the importance of awareness, early screening, and access to advanced treatments. He adds, “Educating people, especially women, about the symptoms of heart disease and ensuring they undergo regular diagnostic tests like stress tests and angiograms can help detect the condition early.
Access to cutting-edge treatments, such as robotic-assisted surgery, will be critical in managing the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, there is the need for lifestyle modifications like following a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and better management of risk factors like avoiding smoking and alcohol use to prevent heart-related complications.”
