Cardiac Problems: Prompt massage saves 60% of victims

Medical students from Douala University were trained on First Aid lately.

Cardiovascular diseases have become a public health concern in Cameroon and the world at large. Of every 10 heart attack victims, nine die due to the absence of First Aid treatment.

It is for this reason that the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Douala University schooled students and young medical doctors on practical lessons on First Aid in case of cardiac attack. It was during the second symposium on cardiology.

According to projections, there will be more cardiovascular diseases in 2025 than malaria and HIV/AIDS. And to avert the situation, preventive measures are the best way out, going by the saying, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Kick-starting the symposium on cardiology, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Albert Mouelle Sone, blamed the increase in cardiovascular diseases to changing lifestyles, feeding and no efforts in carrying out physical exercises.

“Our parents lived wonderful lifestyles, eating lesser salt and trekking long distances. With the advent of modernisation, everything has become easy. People no longer walk long distances, feeding habits have changed, with much salt and fat and liquid intake,” Prof. Mouelle lamented.

Since 70 per cent of heart attacks take place in the presence of eye witnesses, a cardiologist, Dr Aimé Bonny, said massage within the first four minutes will save the lives of 60 per cent of victims. Routine checks on cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes and obesity, is also advisable.

According to the cardiologist, 30 per cent of hypertensive patients are ignorant of their status because they do not carry out routine checks. Other preventive measures, Dr Aimé Bonny said, are eating more fruits and vegetables, carrying out regular physical exercise, abstaining from tobacco and reducing salt and alcohol intake.

The trained medical students will carry out sensitisation campaigns and equally teach First Aid administration to members of the public in order to save lives in case of heart attack.