Introduction
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are considered as one of the leading causes of death, estimating around 17.9 million deaths annually in the world. Amongst these, more than four-fifths of the deaths are attributed to heart attack and stroke. Despite having knowledge of conventional risk factors and efforts to avert them, yet there has been a gradual increase in the incidence of these diseases among Indians. According to GBD (Global Burden of diseases) their prevalence has doubled in India since 1990. Regardless of the growing need to address this problem, there is currently lack of availability of a heart attack and stroke risk predictability calculator tailored to the Indian population.
The decade-long SKAN-HASP study (Heart Attack and Stroke Predictability Study) is divided into multiple phases and seeks to create a dynamic risk calculator merging principles from evidence-based medicine, Yoga, Ayurveda and certain lifestyle modifications. While the study focuses on developing a predictability calculator, it is holistically designed to gain insights into several causal pathways. Several studies have been planned within the large sample size of 3.5 lakh population. The study is designed to cover a spectrum of geo cultural variability and socio-economic strata of Indian population.
Although the study has a predominant prospective design, numerous smaller studies within the larger ambit of longitudinal study have been planned to have robustness and generalizability. (Case-control design, case cohort design, nested case control study etc). HASP study additionally delves into the deep dive focused under researched areas such as stem cells, gut microbiome and genetic components to better understand some of the lesser-known mechanisms in both stroke and CVDs.
All the learnings emerging from HASP study intends to help doctors and other health care providers select effective therapies and aid individuals with reducing their susceptibility to stroke and CVDs.
Collaborators
The study divides cohorts between Narayana Health / Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation, NIMHANS, SKAN-RT, Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (Trans-Disciplinary University – TDU).
Investigators
Dr. Yogesh Shouche (PI)
Dr. Lavanya Garady, Dr. Arun N, Dr. Somak Kumar Chowdhury (Co-PIs)