The institute, commemorating 35 years, calls for lifestyle modifications among the young and women
On the occasion of completing 35 years of medical excellence, the National Heart Institute (NHI) has released data, which reveals a 10 per cent increase in heart disease and associated illnesses among women and 28 per cent in those below 40. The sample considered is that of patients admitted to the NHI in New Delhi over a period of five years, from 2012 to 2016.
India is slowly heading towards becoming the heart disease capital of the world. Studies have found that coronary heart disease among Indians is rampant. Indians also have a four-fold higher prevalence and death risk resulting from a heart attack when compared to population groups in the other parts of the world. What is even more disturbing is the premature age of onset and its increasing incidence amongst women. Over the last two decades, people in the West have been able to slow this pattern through lifestyle changes. The same, however, cannot be said about a developing country, particularly India.
Sharing his views, Dr OP Yadava, CEO and Chief Cardiac Surgeon, NHI said, “We at NHI are committed to making quality heart care accessible to the masses and raising preventive health awareness. Towards this, we regularly organise camps, have partnered with several leading NGOs and are running a successful programme with the Government of Uttarakhand. On our 35th Founders Day, we also decided to release key observations from our patient pool over the past five years. It has been found that younger people and women stand an elevated risk of getting a heart disease today. This changing trend can be attributed to an unhealthy diet, increase in consumption of tobacco and related products, a sedentary lifestyle and stress. There is an urgent need to raise mass awareness about the need to make timely lifestyle modifications and adopt effective stress management techniques for we are at more risk than ever before.”
Findings by NHI suggest that more and more pre-menopausal women are being treated for heart disease due to lifestyle factors. A sizeable 25 per cent of the total bypass surgeries are done in women. Earlier, it was believed that in women, the chances of getting a heart disease were more post menopause. Contrary to popular belief, women also stand a greater chance of death due to a heart disease than men due to a lack of awareness and preventive action.
Voicing his concerns on this issue, Dr Vinod Sharma, Vice Chief Executive Officer and Head of Cardiology Services, NHI said, “The fact that the number of women admitted to a heart institute has gone up 10 per cent in a span of five years is a matter of concern. The female hormone estrogen protects women’s heart still menopause. As the hormone levels drop around the age of 50-55, women start to catch up to men in CAD rates. However, today, this trend is changing, and pre-menopausal women are being diagnosed with heart disease. The reasons for this are an upward trend in cigarette smoking, dangerous weight loss practices, consumption of an unhealthy diet, high-stress levels and less vigilant screening and treatment of heart disease in them.”
The need of the hour is increased awareness on heart disease, be it among the younger lot or women. It is imperative that women learn to spot the signs of a heart attack. More and more young Indians are prone to diabetes and obesity, particular in the belly region. There should be an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and effective stress management, both in younger people and women. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables should be the norm. A brisk exercise routine of about 20-30 minutes every day or at least three days in a week is essential for the heart to function well.
Youngsters as well as men and women should undergo regular health checks beyond the age of 35 years, the recommended routine being once in five years beyond the age of 35, once in two years beyond the age of 45, once in a year beyond the age of 60.
EH News Bureau
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