As prosperity and lethargy, the twins that the new age India has recently delivered, are growing, premature coronary artery disease is fast becoming an epidemic. While coronary artery disease resulting in heart attacks, is considered to be the disease of the rich in our society, it is actually a disease of the poor in the Western countries. However, with our pitch to become a developed nation, we will have to deal with the health ills related to the status. But there are certain features unique to the Indian subcontinent that makes us a cauldron for this disease to thrive.

Several reasons

There is an alarming rise in premature coronary artery disease among young adults who are in their 20s and 30s. There is a wealth of data that shows evidence of early deposits of fat in the major blood vessels such as aorta even in the first two decades of life. There are several reasons why the occurrence of heart disease in Indians will be the highest in the world very soon. The traditional risk factors of adult coronary artery disease are smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor food habits and associated diseases such as Diabetes and Hypertension and more importantly, our genetic makeup.

The sedentary lifestyle is another major constituent of this disease recipe. The more we work, cooped up in closed unhealthy environs, the lesser the chance of exercising.

Food habits have taken a turn for the worse. The myth of cherubic and chubby babies displayed on Formula feeds is a definite hit with our mothers and grandmothers.

Dubious distinction

India has the dubious distinction of becoming the Diabetic and Hypertensive capital of the world. Diabetes and Hypertension have clearly been singled out to be major risk factors for coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, patients with Diabetes alone without coronary artery disease, face the same risk for heart attacks as a patient with a previous episode of heart attack. The world has started to recognise this twinning as “Cardiodiabetes”

More importantly, the genetic make up which is our legacy, has made us more susceptible to coronary artery disease. The coronary artery size among people from the subcontinent is much smaller in diameter than the Caucasian or the African race. It is possible that our genetic make up is unique resulting in such susceptibility.
Remedial measures are still possible and a strategy must be evolved on a war footing. Most of these can be done by creating public awareness and can be adopted without seeking medical help.

First step

The first and most important step is awareness of the disease among family members and hence the genetic susceptibility. The family members should encourage and promote regular prevention check ups.

We have to pledge smoke free zones. All the food items on store shelves should come with nutrition and food labelling. The international brands are quite accustomed to this ritual and the same can be easily adopted here. All it requires is insistence from the consumers. We as a population should respect our time, especially with relaxation. The realisation that a productive five-day week is better than an unproductive 7-day week has to be understood and needs to be adopted even among the health care personnel.

Catch them early should be the mantra whether it is healthy lifestyles or awareness of diseases. So, our school curriculum should include healthy lifestyles and habits.