{
  "id": 10721905,
  "title": "Maharashtra's STEMI Network Detects 1.79 Lakh Critical Cardiac Findings In 57.9 Lakh ECGs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/maharashtras-stemi-network-detects-1-79-lakh-critical-cardiac",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-29T14:55:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtras-stemi-network-detects-179-lakh-critical-cardiac-findings-in-579-lakh-ecgs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, September 29, 2026 - Maharashtra’s Health Department has conducted 57.91 lakh ECG tests under its STEMI programme over the past six years, flagging 1.79 lakh (3.1%) as critical. The data reveals 34,032 STEMI cases, highlighting the severity of cardiac conditions identified through the state’s public health system. STEMI, or ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, is a critical heart attack caused by a sudden coronary artery blockage that demands immediate treatment. Patients with suspected heart attacks can undergo ECGs at government health facilities throughout Maharashtra, from urban centers to rural areas, with remote cardiac specialist assessment and prompt treatment or referral based on the findings. Of the 1,79,535 critical ECG findings recorded, 34,032 (19%) were STEMI cases, with the remaining 1,45,503 classified as other critical cardiac issues, accounting for roughly 3.1% of all conducted ECGs. The programme’s reach spans district, sub-district, and rural health facilities, ensuring remote patients receive timely ECG assessments without extensive travel. This infrastructure facilitates faster access to cardiac care, with immediate thrombolysis available at spoke facilities and referral to cardiac hubs for advanced procedures like angiography and angioplasty, often through the 108 ambulance service. The programme has expanded rapidly, from 3,369 ECG tests in 2020-21 to 23.40 lakh in 2025-26, with 15.39 lakh ECGs conducted up to September 27 of the current financial year, of which 50,087 (3.3%) were critical. Awareness is crucial; patients should not ignore symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea, or radiating pain, as early ECG and treatment are vital in STEMI heart attacks.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, September 29, 2026: In the past six years, Maharashtra’s Health Department has conducted 57.91 lakh ECG tests under its STEMI programme, with 1.79 lakh ECGs (3.1%) flagged as critical. The data includes 34,032 cases identified as STEMI, indicating the extent of serious cardiac conditions being detected through the public health system across the state. STEMI, or ST-Elevation Myocardial…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}