Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease(CVD) is a cluster of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. Heart failure, heart attacks, arrhythmias and coronary artery disease are some of the cardiovascular diseases.
They are caused by fatty deposits that build up with time in the arteries, which leads to blocked or narrowed blood flow. CVD may be triggered by many factors like high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, genetic predisposition, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.
The symptoms of cardiovascular disease might vary from person to person, but the common ones are shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, and chest pain. Symptoms do not necessarily have to be present; some people suffer from a sudden stroke and later discover the issue.
Cardiovascular Healthcare
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death all around the world. It is important to spread awareness for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the disease.
Generally, blood tests, physical exams, electrocardiograms, stress tests, and echocardiograms are used to diagnose the condition.
Cardiovascular disease is treated with medications, surgical procedures or lifestyle changes depending on the severity and the type.
Cardiovascular Healthcare In Low And Middle-Income Countries
According to WHO, cardiovascular disease contributes to 31% of all global deaths. It is a leading cause of mortality in the whole world, but its impact is especially prominent in low and middle-income countries. This is also due to lifestyle changes due to fast urbanization and the ageing population. Low and middle-income countries need further attention due to factors like inadequate healthcare infrastructure, poverty and restricted access to the means of prevention services that aggravate the issue. This nudges us to take a look at the immediate requirement for comprehensive cardiovascular healthcare. It is also to be noted that diabetes, smoking, unhealthy diet, and hypertension are rising factors that add to the problem.
Challenges of Cardiovascular Healthcare In Low And Middle-Income Countries
- The infrastructure of healthcare in the low and middle-income countries are often underdeveloped and lack medical equipment, up-skilled medical professional, and insufficient facilities. This is a major barrier for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular illness effectively.
- Access to quality healthcare is a big problem in the low and middle-income countries. There is very less healthcare facilities equipped with adequate healthcare services in rural areas whereas the ones in the urban areas might be over-occupied by necessitate.
- Financial limitations can restrict an individual to avoid the necessary healthcare. Out-of-pocket expenses are also a major reason for the low and middle-income country citizens to refuse healthcare.
- Lifestyle changes due to rising urbanization are a major concern in low and middle-income countries. Tobacco use, lack of physical activity and increased usage of processed food are contributing factors to the increase in cardiovascular diseases.
- Preventive measure in the low and middle-income country is less due to the inadequate awareness of cardiovascular health in the the low and middle-income countries. Misinformation and misconceptions about this along with insufficient knowledge on health education stand in the way of people acknowledging symptoms and seeking timely treatment.
Improvement of cardiovascular healthcare in low and middle-income countries
- It is important to have a broad approach to address the fast rising issue of cardiovascular healthcare in the low and middle-income countries with an affordable health insurance plan.
- Investments made to the healthcare infrastructure is very important like enhancing emergency services, improving access to primary care, and getting specialized cardiac care units.
- It is also very important to adequately train the healthcare professionals in the the low and middle-income countries. This can be done through training programs that equips them with better diagnosis and management of cardiovascular conditions. Doing this will in turn improve the quality of care.
- One can raise awareness and educate the people through public health campaigns. Another major factor in improving cardiovascular health in low and middle-income countries is to implement community-based interventions, turning our attention towards lifestyle changes. These include healthy eating, more physical activity, and less smoking. All of the above can reduce the risk factors significantly.
- When developing policies, governments must understand the importance of cardiovascular health and allocate resources for prevention, treatment, and education in low and middle-income countries. Including cardiovascular health in extensive health agendas can bring in a more holistic approach.
- Collaborating with international organizations, private sectors, and NGOs can offer adequate resources and support. This also promotes in managing cardiovascular health and drive innovations.
- It is always smart to make use of technology. Mobile health technologies and telemedicine can increase the access to cardiovascular healthcare, particularly in remote areas in the low and middle-income countries.
Need for cardiac health insurance
Health insurance is extremely important in low and middle-income countries because of the unique changes these regions face. Many of the low- and middle-income countries face the challenge of large out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Having cardiac health insurance ensures that there are no unexpected medical costs related to heart health. It also ensures that there is essential cardiac health service as it is crucial in regions of low and middle-income countries. With the rise in cardiovascular diseases in this region, it is beneficial that few cardiovascular health insurance companies provide ongoing care for chronic disease management.
Health Insurance also decreases the disparities in access to care. This ensure that the population receives the needed health care regardless of the economic status.
Takeaway
Cardiovascular health in low and middle-income countries faces crucial challenges, but these can be transformed with adequate changes. By giving enough importance to cardiovascular healthcare, low and middle-income countries can resolve these issues gradually. Resolving these issues will not just improve the cardiovascular healthcare of these countries, but they might also improve and strengthen other aspects of healthcare. Putting in a combined effort to fight the cardiovascular healthcare epidemic is important to have a healthier and sustainable community. It is important to acknowledge that regardless of economic status, everyone must have access to proper cardiovascular healthcare.
