Dear women, your hips don’t lie!

Bengaluru: A recent study conducted by a not-for-profit initiative started by Saffola called Saffolalife reveals that that more than 60% of urban Indian women in the age group of 30-45 years are at risk of being affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). And, 79% of women of the city are at a risk of cardio vascular diseases (CVDs) falling in the overweight or obese category. The Saffolalife study 2015 was conducted in 10 leading metro and non-metro cities of India. The study saw participation by 1,299 urban Indian females in the age group 30-45 years.

The data collated from the study was analysed by IMRB International. The shocking revelations clearly throw light on keeping a watch on your waistlines and not treat it as a normal part of body's growth with age. Health experts are clearly stressing that as that waistline grows, so do our health risks. Abdominal, or visceral, fat is of particular concern because it’s a key player in a variety of health problems.

“Abdominal fat or visceral fat are linked to cardiovascular disease and the adipose tissue in the abdominal wall said to have high levels of adinopectin/leptins which causes vascular inflammation and narrowing of arteries.  It is more common in people with abdominal obesity and diabetes mellitus and the like,” informs Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research speaking about the link between visceral fat and cardiovascular diseases. “An increasing number of women are transitioning from the cardio-protective pear shape body to apple shape with increasing waistlines and truncal obesity, putting them at risk of heart diseases,” says Dr S S Ramesh, CMD Cardiologist, Vivus Heart Centre, Bengaluru.

The Saffolalife study also reveals that a majority of women in Bangalore (97%) who have greater rise of getting CVDs, consume preserved foods four times a week. With food like cheese, food rich in trans fats, 81% of such high-risk category women consume them twice a week, while 91% consume fried foods thrice a week. Despite the much–maligned role of carbonated and sugary drinks in raising the risk of getting heart diseases, 87% of women in Bangalore within this high-risk category consume sweetened beverages twice a week. Additionally, of the total women at risk, 14% eat late dinners.

Facts about cardio vascular disease risk among Indian women

1. The largest group of women at risk of CVD is aged 30-45.
2. Significantly higher proportions of women in south and west face CVD risk compared to rest of the country.

Now, city's  youngsters in its grip too!

A city-based survey reveals that 18% of youngsters in the age group of between 20-25 years, and about 23% youngsters in the 26-30 age group, reported chest pain and were potential patients of heart disease.  Frequent chest pains, acidity, breathlessness during exertion are some of common symptoms often ignored. This may led to severe heart problems if not treated on time. A survey conducted by Indus Health Plus indicates that males and females are at equal risk of Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Eleven percent of total population was detected with heart ailments. The ratio of heart diseases among males and females is 3:2.

“The three main culprits for this trend are smoking, sedentary lifestyle and eating junk food. However these are modifiable factors and youngsters who can adopt healthy lifestyle can easy have healthy heart,” says Dr Bhaskar B V, Consultant, Cardiac Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals who adds, the he witnesses around fifteen youngsters with heart ailments every month. “Monthly, on an OPD basis, 10-15 youngsters are admitted with chest pain, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases,” adds Dr Bhaskar.  

Also, hypertension induced heart diseases are on rise by 7%- 8% amongst working population under the age bracket of 25–35 years. Late working hours, stress, overtime and less sleep are some of the major reasons. Brisk walking, meditation and yoga can reduce the risk of heart diseases. “We have analysed 10,000 heart patients treated at our hospital. About 25% of the patients are below 40 years; the youngest was a 17-year-old.  No doubt young and middle aged population is becoming vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. However, only small percentage of youngsters with chest pain have proven heart ailment, not all chest pain is attributable to heart,” says Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.