Most people become aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle only after a close friend or relative is affected by heart disease, say medical experts. This is why the message of the World Heart Day being observed today (September 29) is ‘Heart Choices, Not Hard Choices.’
“Three to four decades ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death in the world,” Kader Sahib Ashraf, consultant cardiologist, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, told The Hindu . “The scenario has changed with the advent of vaccines, newer antibiotics and better hygiene. Now, non-communicable diseases like heart disease and stroke (labelled cardiovascular disease) are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity.”
Dr. Kader recommended screening for all above the age of 35 because cardiovascular disease strikes Indians relatively early compared to the Western countries. “This is to detect risk factors for heart disease like diabetes, increased lipids and hypertension, as most of these diseases remain asymptomatic and become known only when the person develops a heart attack or stroke,” he said.
There is a distinct change also in the way heart disease is affecting the world. While Western countries have moved from treatment to prevention, developing nations in Asia and Africa are still facing a cardiovascular mortality time-bomb.
“In Apollo Hospital, Tiruchi, which was inaugurated in 2013, 50 per cent of admissions due to heart attacks are below the age group of 50,” said Dr. Kader. “Statistics in India are really alarming - 900 people under the age of 30 die due to heart disease in India every day. Four people die of heart attack every minute in India and the age group is between 30 and 50.”
A large number of heart disease cases are attributed to risk factors of an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco use.
“If the cardiovascular risk factors are not controlled, then the incidence of heart disease will definitely increase to 30 to 40 per cent by the year 2025,” said Haresh Kumar, MD DM, interventional cardiologist, Moorthys Hospital Private Limited.
Laziness and fast food
Along with the sedentary lifestyle, a fascination for fast food like pizzas, burgers and carbonated drinks has taken root with the help of aggressive youth-oriented marketing.
“If we are unlucky, our bad genes along with the change in food habits and lazy lifestyle can lead to cardiovascular disease,” warned Dr. Kader. “This has significant impact even in a small city such as Tiruchi. At a personal level, 30 per cent of my patients for whom I do angioplasty are below the age of 40 which was not the case 7 to 8 years ago.”
He added that this trend was being observed even among women who are supposed to be immune to cardiovascular disease due to the protective effects of estrogen.
Prevention
It has to be accepted that there are no shortcuts to a healthy heart. Doctors still recommend the adoption of a regular exercise regime and the avoidance of tobacco and alcohol to keep the heart beating normally. Food too needs to be viewed from a nutritional rather than entertainment perspective.
Tiruchi residents turned out in large numbers to support a pro-heart health half-marathon on Sunday. But in reality, there are very few spaces in the city for the public to safely enjoy a jog or walk for fitness.
Dr. Haresh Kumar said that offering free basic health check-ups will aid in spotting heart disease earlier. “The importance of exercise should be implemented from the age of 15 years and smoking in public places should be banned,” he suggested.
“We have apps which can calculate the number of steps walked by us every day, etc. But ultimately, if one is not aware or is not bothered by statistics, it wouldn’t make any impact on him, because in our society, a person will change only if it affects him or a close relative. That’s the harsh reality in our country.” said Dr. Kader.