Coronary Heart Disease in India

By: Aditi Shekar

Block 4
One of the leading causes of death in India is Coronary Heart Disease. It is a disease in
which a waxy substance called Plaque builds up in the Coronary Arteries. This takes many years
to build up but the arteries which it blocks are the ones that give oxygen to the heart. This is
fatal, as if your heart is not getting enough oxygen, it will weaken slowly. This can cause a Heart
Attack, which can most certainly lead to death.
India is greatly affected by Coronary Heart Disease. The mortality rate for this disease in
India is 138.36. India stands at 39th place on the list of most affected countries for Coronary
Heart Disease. This is considered extremely high and needs to drop down soon.
There are two major health care systems in India. The first one is the National Rural
Health Mission. This is led by the Ministry of Health and Family. This organization (Central
Government) strives to deliver health care quickly and effectively to public facilities and
preventive interventions. The second major health care system in India is the Rashtriya Swasthya
Bima Yojana. This is led by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and offers services to people
below the poverty line. Both of these health systems are effective and have been helping India.
India should take the protocol necessary to prevent Coronary Heart Disease by eating
more fiber-enriched diets, being physically active, eating well generally, managing stress, and
not smoking. If these healthy steps are taken, then India can dramatically reduce their death rate
of Coronary Heart Disease and leave the chart for leading countries suffering this disease.
Hopefully India realizes how major this disease can be.