Dengue, transmitted by mosquito bite, has become a seasonal epidemic in India.
Dengue fever may prove fatal for patients suffering from heart ailments, experts have warned.
Dengue, transmitted by mosquito bite, has become a seasonal epidemic in India. After the mosquito's bite, Dengue's symptoms in infants, young children and adults last for 3 to 14 days.
Upendra Kaul, Dean and Executive Director (Clinical Research and Academics) at Fortis Healthcare said, "When heart patients get gripped by Dengue, there is often deficiency of platelets in the body and that can lead to a critical situation. Aspirin dosage must be immediately stopped by these patients as it can prove fatal."
"If someone has dengue fever coupled with chest discomfort, shortness of breath and unnecessary fatigue, they must immediately approach a doctor and get their electrocardiography and echocardiogram done," Mr Kaul added.
According to Mr Kaul, 50 per cent dengue patients with no prior heart ailments showed temporary malfunction in their heart.
The malfunction consisted of atrial fibrillation which is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow. Enhanced ectophy (a disturbance of the cardiac rhythm) and sinus bradycardia was also detected, that led to slower heart rate in patients.
Patients also showed conduction abnormalities like skipped, rapid or forceful heartbeats.
Further, 31 per cent of patients showed diastolic dysfunction which means that performance of one ventricle of the heart declined.
"Early detection can avert heart disease progression," Mr Kaul advised.