3 Highest Diseases Causing Indonesian Pilgrims to Die in the Holy Land in the 2023 Hajj Season

Dream - The Integrated Hajj Information and Computerization System (Siskohat) recorded a total of 68 Indonesian pilgrims who died in the Holy Land until the 24th day of the hajj operation. This number is the highest since 2017, in the same period.

The Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) released that 30 of them are categorized as non-risky.

The head of KKHI in Mecca, Dr. Edi Supriyatna, explained that the cause of non-risky pilgrims' deaths is heart disease, specifically cardiogenic shock and myocardial infarction. Both are the two highest diseases that cause pilgrims' deaths in general.

Edi added that these non-risky pilgrims did not suddenly have a heart attack while in the Holy Land. They actually already had a history of heart disease but were unaware of it.

According to data from the Health Organization for Hajj in Saudi Arabia 2023, there are three diseases that are the highest causes of pilgrims' deaths. They are acute myocardial infarction (20 cases), cardiogenic shock (16 cases), and stroke (5 cases) out of a total of 66 deaths as of June 15, 2023.

Acute myocardial infarction is a heart disease caused by blockage in the coronary arteries.

Dr. Aditya from the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) in Mecca said that cardiogenic shock is one of the final stages of a heart attack characterized by a lack of blood flow to the organs due to a decrease in cardiac output.

"Cardiogenic shock does not happen suddenly, there are several triggering factors, especially in high-risk hajj pilgrims," he said.

According to Aditya, the risk factors include blockage of the coronary blood vessels, uncontrolled hypertension, infection, and exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) prior to stress.

KKHI also advises high-risk hajj pilgrims who are prone to heart disease to maintain their health before the peak of the hajj pilgrimage on the 9th of Zulhijjah.

"Hajj pilgrims should not force themselves to perform prayers and umrah in the Masjid al-Haram. The five daily prayers can be performed in their hotel prayer rooms. Optional umrah requires physical preparation and is a strenuous religious activity," he said.

Strenuous physical activity can cause fatigue and trigger relapses and complications of chronic diseases, such as heart disease.

"Therefore, hajj pilgrims with a history of chronic diseases should refrain from strenuous outdoor religious activities, such as optional umrah and prayers in Masjid al-Haram," said Edi.

Source: merdeka.com