Why Heart Disease is a Growing Crisis in India: 60% of Global Cases at Risk

Doctors Reveal Why India Is Responsible for 60% of Global Heart Disease Cases and How Poor Lifestyle Choices Are Driving the Crisis

India is going through the throes of an epidemic of heart disease, producing an astounding 60% of cases worldwide, which ought to be considered when taking into account that India has only 18% of the population of this world. Such an alarming statistics point towards a serious health issue that transcends old age and is, with increasing frequency, affecting healthy young men and women. A myriad of causes, mostly lifestyle-related, are propelling the rise of this epidemic.

The Silent Killers: Hypertension and High Cholesterol

Some of the greatest contributors to heart ailments have been, in India, hypertension or the so-called “silent killer.” Dr. Lalit Kapoor, Senior Consultant, Narayana Health, Kolkata, says it comes on unaware. Most Indians only discover that they have high blood pressure when it reaches a serious state to produce heart attacks, strokes, or kidney failures. Some small symptoms of swelling in fat, headache, or fatigue are ignored when these might be the early signs of impending heart trouble. Another potent risk factor is high cholesterol, which narrows the arteries, thus increasing the risk of heart attacks.

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Diet: A Culprit for India’s Heart Disease Disaster

Poor diets are forcing the rise in heart diseases. The excitement with deep-fried food, sweet biscuits, and milled carbohydrates increases the incidence of obesity and diabetes, which are both major culprits of heart disease. Dr. Surendra Kumar Agarwal, CVTS Head, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute, tells me about a healthy diet, regular workout, and management of stress. Following these measures could at least lower the risk of heart disease by 25%.

Alcohol, Smoking, and Incidental Habits

Heavy smoking and drinking have decorated the list of the various etiologies of heart disease. Dr. Atanu Saha, Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at NH R.N. Tagore Hospital, goes on to state that anything from smoked tobacco to chewing tobacco does harm to blood vessels while keeping blood pressure up and causing blockages. Some may argue that occasional drinking is not dangerous, but the cumulative effect of these habits over the years dramatically increases the risk for heart disease.

Why Indians Are More Prone

Indians suffer increased genetic susceptibility for heart disease compared to people from other regions of the world. According to Dr. R.K. Jaswal, Director of Cardiology at Fortis Hospital Mohali, Indians are 2-3 times more susceptible to heart disease than the Caucasians. With this genetic predisposition coupled with ill lifestyle habits, India has almost qualified into the realm of being the “diabetes and heart disease capital of the world.”
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Prevention Within Reach

Fortunately, with good lifestyle measures put in place, heart disease can largely be prevented. Along with regular checks of blood sugar and cholesterol, lifestyle changes go a long way in reducing risk. MAX Healthcare’s vice-chairman Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra comments that “one must develop good habits from childhood” and reiterates that “drinking too much alcohol will eventually weaken the heart.”

The crisis of heart disease in India stands as a reminder for the country. Even though there’s a genetic tendency, it’s as if unhealthy lifestyle habits are the ones that are breaking the heart. With just a little concerted effort toward healthy eating, more exercise, better stress management, and curbing unhealthy habits, Indians can significantly minimize the risk and deal with this escalating epidemic. Time for heart health is now before it becomes too late.

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