Increased incidences of smoking, change in food habits, little physical activity and increase in the frequency of eating out are some of the major reasons found to be causing more people in the State to have an ailing heart.
Reviewing the registry of the Acute Coronary Syndrome with 25,000 patients hospitalised with cardiac diseases in various parts of the State, it was noted that people in the State have 17 per cent more chances of getting a heart disease. The review was held as part of the one-day seminar of the Cardiological Society of India, Kerala chapter.
Those under the age group up to 40 years and smoking 20 cigarettes a day are nine times more prone to heart disease than those who do not smoke. While there is a ban on smoking in public places, quite a few studies have indicated an increase in incidences of smoking in youth.
There was a dip in the number of young smokers in 1999 to 28.3 per cent, which has now increased to 36 per cent. High blood pressure and diabetes are the other important causes that lead to heart attack.
Speaking to press persons, D. Prabhakaran, executive director, Centre for Chronic Disease Control — which is an initiative for Cardiovascular Health Research in Developing Countries, said that dietary habits have changed drastically in the people here. A combination of more intake of rice and less of fibre is considered a breeding ground for heart diseases.
It has also been seen that overweight children choose to eat out 25 per cent of their total food intake, said Dr. Prabhakaran.
It is also a myth that women are less prone to heart attack, he said. They are, however, more protected from heart diseases till menopausal age, he added.
The seminar was inaugurated by M. N. Krishnan, State president of CSI-Kerala. Mark Huffman from Chicago North West University; V. Ramankutty, chairman, Health Action by People; K. R. Thankappan, head of the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science; Meenakshi Sharma, scientist, Indian Council for Medical Research; and others spoke.
