Cholesterol levels raising heart disease risk (Image AI Generated)
A recent study by ICMR-INDIAB has shown that there is a rising cholesterol problem in India. In India, 9 out of 10 adults are found to have abnormal levels of blood lipids, which puts them at risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart diseases, stroke, etc. The results indicated the need for routine cholesterol check-up and better lifestyle modifications, particularly as cardiovascular disease continues to be one of the major causes of mortality in India.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study revealed that almost 90% of adult Indians suffer from dyslipidemia, which is when one or more blood fats (lipids) are not within a healthy range. These include:
The research also revealed that the issue is more prevalent in females, urban dwellers, those with obesity, diabetes, prediabetes and hypertension and those living in central India. The scientists termed dyslipidemia as a silent health issue due to the fact that many individuals do not experience any symptoms until they go on to experience serious health concerns.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) say that excess LDL cholesterol can deposit itself within blood vessels, causing the blood vessels to become narrowed and thereby raising the risk for the following:
The only symptoms are commonly caused by high cholesterol, so experts suggest regular cholesterol blood tests, especially for those with diabetes, obesity or a family history of heart disease.
According to health experts, some lifestyle and medical issues play a role in poor cholesterol levels and those include:
CDC, NHS and AHA suggest some lifestyle changes that can help improve cholesterol numbers:
The new ICMR-INDIAB results come as a wake-up call as abnormal cholesterol is one of the top silent health problems in India. According to experts, prevention in the form of healthy eating, regular exercise, regular cholesterol testing and timely medical attention is key to curb the heavy burden of heart disease in the nation, in which 9 in 10 adults exhibit at least one abnormal blood lipid level.
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