NT BUZZ
Seventeen percent of all deaths in Goa are caused by cardiovascular diseases, making them the single largest cause of mortality in the state, senior pathologist Dr. Wiseman Pinto said at an interactive presentation titled ‘Life’s Journey – The Long Haul’, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar.
“At the medical records department, I studied postmortem reports, pathology findings and death certificates and found that cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death among people in Goa,” said Pinto, referring to a 2008 study he conducted on mortality patterns in the state.
The senior pathologist attributed the rise in heart diseases to factors such as smoking, alcohol, drugs, hypertension and diabetes and warned that outwardly fit individuals are at risk due to steroid and hormone use. He emphasised on the importance of timely medical evaluation and
follow-up.
Pinto also highlighted the prevalence of diabetes in Goa, noting that one in four people in the state are affected. He warned that diabetes can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, stroke, dementia and organ damage. He also addressed cancer, noting that while the exact causes are not fully understood, around 30 per cent of cancers are linked to smoking and passive smoking. “Cancer develops due to changes in genes, including oncogenes and repair genes. If the body’s repair mechanisms are strong, the risk is lower,” he said, adding that environmental and lifestyle factors such as pollution, alcohol, certain occupations, infections and food additives also contribute to cancer risk.
Speaking about pollution, Pinto cited extensively studied cases like one involving Delhi, where air pollution has been linked to construction, vehicular emissions and industrial activity. In Goa, he noted that mining areas, coal handling, industrial estates and road construction are
emerging concerns.
