HEALTH

Management of heart diseases
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Dec 25 — Cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, sedentary habits, hypertension and raised cholesterol are some of the common risk factors that cause coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Dr Vijay Mohan Kohli, Chief Cardiac Surgeon, Dayanand Medical College Heart Centre, says unfortunately, coronary artery disease among Indians are two to four times higher in all ages and five to 10 times higher among the young less than 40 years.

A study conducted by Dr Kohli says that approximately one-third of those suffering from the disease have sudden cardiac death, about one-third get a heart attack and only the remaining one-third get a second chance as a warning chest pain.

Dr Kohli says the disease is basically caused by atheroschlerosis, which is gradual built up of fatty tissue within the blood vessels causing narrowing and ultimately blockage of the vessel. The disease affects the heart and brain and leads to cerebrovascular disease, the abdominal aorta causing aortic aneurysm and also the limb vessels, causing peripheral vascular disease, specially in lower limbs.

Angina myocardial infarction (heart attack) and strokes are the major consequences of atheroschlerosis. If a patient has only mild occlusion of his coronary artery or arteries, he suffers from chest discomfort and exertion. With increasing obstruction the angina becomes more and more marked and when obstruction is complete, the person gets a heart attack.

The study mentions that tools for diagnosing coronary artery diseases include detailed history, physical examination, certain laboratory investigations like lipid profile, blood sugar levels and additional tests like treadmill or thallium tests. Besides, the coronary angiogram provides the precise location of the block and helps to decide the further course of action.

Dr V.M. Kohli adds that the blocks in coronary arteries can be managed either by "ballooning" known as angioplasty or PTCA in which the blocked coronary artery is dilated. To prevent the collapse of the dilated artery again, a ''stent'' is put inside the dilated vessel. The PTCA is a good procedure, mostly uneventful but unfortunately the failure rate is 20 to 30 per cent, specially in the first six months. The result of the PTCA depends on the type of lesion, a fairly expensive procedure compared to bypass surgery, specially if done for more than one vessel and the result is often unpredictable.

The Chief Cardiac Surgeon suggests that if the patient has unstable angina or a heart attack, he should be admitted to a proper, well-equipped heart centre with facilities for haemodynamic monitoring, ventilation, support systems for the heart like intra-aortic balloon pump. The aim of bypass surgery is not only to bypass the blocks in coronary arteries but to provide an excellent quality of life so that patient can lead a normal and healthy life.

Certain new techniques have also been evolved like laser surgery called TMR or transmyocardial laser revascularisation. It is warranted for situations where the PTCA or bypass surgery is not possible and the patient continues to have recurrent angina. The technique is being practised at a very few centers in the world.

SPORT

Fans want Ramandeep back in squad
From Kamal Kishore Shankar

LUDHIANA, Dec 25 — The recent sacking of skipper Ramandeep Singh from the Indian hockey team by the IHF has provoked sharp reactions from sport lovers.

Mr Deepak Bhalla, a sport lover, said the sacking of Ramandeep showed the pathetic state of hockey in India today. Instead of encouraging the players, the IHF was playing musical chairs with them. “This game began with the expulsion of Dhanraj Pillay and four others from the squad after they won the gold medal in the Asiad. Though it is good that Cedric D’ Souza will coach the team once again, dropping a player like Ramandeep will send wrong signals to hockey fans,” he said.

Mr Randhir Singh Dheer, an NRI, said, “It was after many years that India had found a good team leader like Ramandeep. The IHF should not ignore his skills and experience.”

Mr Gurbhej Singh, a hockey fan, said, “Ramandeep should not be punished like this. The IHF may select a new captain, but it should keep Ramandeep in the team. The appointment of D' Souza as the team coach is a good decision.”

Amar Singh, a former hockey coach, said, “The IHF should at least include Ramandeep in the training camp. The decision to sack Ramandeep will discourage talented youngsters.”

Jagroop Bal, captain of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) hockey team, said, “If a player is an introvert, it does not mean that he is not good. Cool team leaders like Ramandeep are rare in the country. The IHF should review its decision.”

Sukhjeet, a student of the PAU, said, “The decision has shocked hockey fans. Ramandeep is one of our finest hockey players. This is no way to treat a great player like him.”

Sargodha School score easy victory
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Dec 25 — A strokeful 56 by Gagandeep Singh and a fiery innings of 32 n.o by Charandeep Singh steered Sargodha National Public School to score a comfortable win by seven wickets against K V M Senior Secondary School in the third match of the Parle -G PCA Inter-School Cricket Tournament being organised by the Ludhiana District Cricket Association at the Government Model Senior Secondary School ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

KVM Senior Secondary School won the toss and decided to bat first. They were all out for 153 runs after 30.2 overs. Rahul Batra and Karan Goel contributed 24 and 18 runs respectively. Sargodha bowlers conceded as many as 63 extra runs. Dimpy was the chief wrecker claiming three wickets for 38 runs. Charandeep and Lucky grabbed two wickets each for 21 and 26 runs respectively.

Sargodha National Public School made the required runs in 32.2 overs after losing just three wickets. Gagandeep hammered 56 and Charandeep remained not out on 32. Charan’s innings included two towering sixes. Abhishek and Kunj of KVM school took one wicket each.

PAU NSS to hold special camp
From Our Correspondent

ludhiana, Dec 25 — The National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of Punjab Agricultural University comprising the NSS units of the college of Agriculture, the College of Agricultural Engineering and the College of Home Science will jointly hold a 10-day special camp at Pamal and Pamali villages of Ludhiana block from December 28 to January 6, 2001. The camp will be inaugurated by Dr K.S. Sekhon, Director, Students welfare, PAU.

According to the Programme Coordinator, Dr K.S. Sekhon, who is also the in charge of the camp, there are almost 200 NSS volunteers, both boys and girls belonging to the constituent colleges of the university. They will carry out all the activities like cleaning of environment, repair of kutcha roads, filing up ditches, creating awareness about AIDS and TB, educating people against drug abuse, ill-effects of intoxicants and alcoholism.

According to an estimate, 15 to 20 per cent population in these villages is still illiterate. Some selected volunteers will carry out literacy programme and distribute literacy kits among them.

The other activities will include tree plantation on the premises of the primary, middle and high schools as well as local gurdwaras. The volunteers will also be involved in the congress grass eradication campaign and will be educated about its health hazards. Rallies against social evils will be organised in slum areas around the main campus and lectures by experts on various aspects of health and environment will be arranged.