MMM to observe World Heart Rhythm Week

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If your heart flutters or skips a beat, making your head spin and your knees buckle, it may not be cupid at work with his bow and arrows.

These are symptoms of arrhythmia, the top cause for young people dropping dead due to cardiac arrest. During World Heart Rhythm Week, observed from June 6-12, doctors from the Madras Medical Mission in the city are conducting a string of awareness campaigns and an ECG training course for MBBS doctors and doctors of other specialties to fine-tune their electrocardiology skills.

An estimated 50,000 Chennaiites may have undiagnosed arrhythmia —an alarming figure, considering that 88 per cent of sudden cardiac death is due to arrhythmia, and people in their 40s are the most common victims.

“These abnormalities can also occur even in completely healthy people, even athletes who are fighting fit with appearingly normal hearts. If the symptoms are not attended to at the right time, it can lead to sudden collapse or even death,” warns Dr Ulhas Pandurangi, chief electophysiologist at MMM.

“The heart beats between 60 and 90 times a minute, and anything below or above that range is considered abnormal,” explains Dr Ulhas. In a weak or scarred heart, rogue electrical impulses may cause the muscle to pump too fast or too slow; as a result, the organ is unable to pump sufficient blood to supply the organs.

People who have suffered heart attacks are at high risk of an arrythmia, around 10 per cent of them develop abnormal heartbeats within the first year itself, explained Dr Ajit Mullasari, director of cardiology, stressing on the importance of regular follow-ups, especially since a simple ECG can detect arrhythmias.

As part of heart rhythm week, MMM will offer screening camps and consultations; infotainment programmes on television and also an evening walkathon along Marina beach on June 4. For participation in these programmes, call 9962488778.