Heart disease could worsen non-cardiac ailments, procedures

Depending on its severity, heart diseases could complicate non-cardiac ailments and procedures, said a senior cardiologist at the monthly Continuous Medical Education (CME) meeting organised jointly by the Indian Medical Association (Qatar) and Indian Doctors Club recently . Dr Joji Mathews, cardiologist at Al Ahli Hospital was speaking on ‘Cardiac assessment across specialities’. The assessment of the heart is therefore important for all doctors across specialities he said. “A thorough history and physical examination is the first step in identifying those at risk. The major parameters predicting cardio vascular risk of an individual planned for a non cardiac procedure are background or evidence suggestive of blocked heart arteries, heart failure, stroke, kidney dysfunction, diabetes requiring insulin, the nature of the procedures and the functional capacity of the individual, which is his ability to performing activities like walking to jogging without symptoms.” Dr Mathews also deliberated on how those identified as intermediate or high risk for complications should be stabilised before a planned procedure. Dr V K Mohanan presented a memento to the speaker. Dr Godwin Wilson compeered the programme and Dr Salim proposed a vote of thanks.