City doctors are warning that they are getting at least three to four heart attack patients every week who are below 40 years of age. Majority of them are obese.
“Obesity has emerged as the new killer disease making the young vulnerable to long-term chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues, diabetes and blood pressure fluctuations,” said Dr. Santosh Kumar Agarwal senior interventional cardiologist, Heart Institute, Noida.
He adds that obesity is now plaguing children, who often become overweight due to innumerable factors like lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, increasing reliance on convenience foods and hormonal issues.
“Early incidence of obesity causes the deposition of plaque in the heart wall arteries at a much younger age, triggering premature heart attacks. Parents must keep a check on the weight of their children to help ensure that they have a long and healthy life,” said Dr. Aggarwal.
Childhood obesity has now emerged as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Globally, in 2013, the number of overweight children under the age of five, is estimated to be over 42 million.
“The problem is global and is steadily affecting everyone and Delhi is no exception,” said Dr. Ashish Gupta, paediatrician from Primus Super Speciality Hospital.
The most worrying feature about overweight and obese children is the high likelihood of them staying and growing into obese adults.
“Childhood obesity puts them at the risk of developing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. Prevention of childhood obesity therefore needs high priority,” said Dr. Gupta.
Senior diabetologist Ashok Jhingan warned that obesity increases the incidence of premature heart disease. “A shocking number of India’s youth are being diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension — all increasing their heart disease risk. India is ranked as the third most obese country in the world and obesity is a leading contributor of heart attacks,” he said.
He explained that with 13 per cent Indians found to be suffering from obesity; the country faces a major risk of a heart disease epidemic.
Dr. Ripen Kumar Gupta, associate director, Fortis Flt Rajan Dhall Hospital, said that obesity is now understood to be one of the leading causes of early incidence of heart disease in India. “People as young as in their late twenties and early thirties are being diagnosed with heart disease and are brought into hospital emergencies having suffered a sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack. This was a situation, unheard of in the past.’’
He added that increased stress levels are one of the most common causes of an unhealthy lifestyle. People live a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, eat high trans fat and sugar laden food, are sleepless and consume more alcohol. All these lead to a drastic weight gain and associated health problems.
People in their late 20s and early 30s are being diagnosed with heart disease and are brought into hospital emergencies having suffered a sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack. This was a situation, unheard of in the past
Dr. Ripen Kumar Gupta
Associate Director, Fortis Flt Rajan Dhall Hospital
