Chest Pain Units: A Unique Healthcare Model in the World

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global mortality. Pakistan faces a high prevalence of CVD risk factors, including high-cholesterol diets, physical inactivity, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking. Timely management of cardiac emergencies is critical to saving lives. The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) introduced an innovative cardiac care model called the Chest Pain Unit (CPU) in May 2017. These units are strategically placed in Karachi and other cities in Sindh to tackle traffic congestion amid the emergency and serve densely populated areas. Since its inception, CPUs have treated approximately 990,640 individuals and saved over 22,443 lives. CPUs specialize in pre-hospital diagnosis and management of acute heart issues, are equipped with electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) kits, and defibrillators, and are staffed by specialized teams. A “Healthy Heart Clinic” program screens patients for cardiac risk factors. The future plan includes expanding the CPU network nationwide, potentially serving as a model for other countries grappling with CVDs. This approach could also apply to other acute diseases requiring timely treatment for improved outcomes.