Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : February 24, 2015 3:59 PM IST
September 29 is the World Heart Day.
Heart disease shares a major part of the global burden of lifestyle diseases. Earlier, non-modifiable factors like age, gender, family history were mainly responsible for heart disease. But over the past few decades, heart disease seems to have surpassed all the boundaries and now controllable risk factors like diet, physical inactivity and stress largely determine the risk of heart disease. Here are some facts highlighting the dramatic rise in heart disease cases in India.
India will soon bear the largest burden of heart disease globally: In India, out of the estimated population of more than 1.27 billion dispersed across various geographical regions, about 45 million people suffer from coronary artery disease. 'According to current estimates, India will soon have the highest number of cases of cardiovascular disease in the world,' says Dr Nikhil Kumar, Director, Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. It is estimated to account for 35.9% deaths by the year 2030.
Heart disease is more prevalent in the younger generation: Heart disease has escalated among the younger generation with a significant risk in both males and females. 'More and more number of young Indians are suffering from coronary artery disease, owing to their poor lifestyle, and if this continues the future looks even more dangerous,' says Dr Kumar. 'Five years ago, we hardly saw young patients with heart problems. Now, we get many cases where people in the 25-35 age group are diagnosed with heart disease' said Dr Ajay Chaurasia, head of cardiology department, BYL Nair Hospital stated in the Saffola Life study.
The risk of heart disease is highest in urban population: A 2013 study conducted by Safola Life concluded that over 70 per cent of the urban Indian population is at the risk of being diagnosed with heart disease. This is mainly due to unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and stress.
Sedentary lifestyle is a major cause of death due to heart disease: Dr Kumar highlights the increase in all cause of mortality of heart disease due to sedentary lifestyle. 'Physical inactivity doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, imbalance in lipid levels and anxiety, which individually contribute to heart disease,' he said.
Coronary heart disease is mainly responsible for heart disease deaths: 'One fifth of the population dying due to heart disease suffers from coronary heart disease (CHD). By 2020, about one third of all deaths will be caused due to CHD. Sadly, most of them will be dying at a very young age.
Diabetes and hypertension have increased heart disease cases: 'The population of diabetics in India is about 50.8 million, which according to the International Diabetes Federation is by far the highest number reported among all parts of the world. The prevalence is higher in urban areas (6-8%) compared to rural areas (2-3% ). Indians fall prey to diabetes at a relatively young age (about 45 years), which increases their lifetime risk of heart disease.
Apart from diabetes, high blood pressure is also responsible for increased number heart disease cases. The increase in hypertension prevalence has been steady over the last 50 years, more in urban than in rural areas. Hypertension is 25-30% in urban and 10-15% in rural subjects.'
Image source: Getty images
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