Delhi is nation's heart disease capital: Study

Among cities in India, Delhi holds top position for a dubious reason – heart diseases among corporate employees. More than half the employees suffer from one or the other form of cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs).

This was concluded in a survey released by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on the occasion of World Heart Day to be observed on Saturday.

Responses were collected from nearly 200 employees from each city.

Among more than 10 cities covered, Delhi reported highest number of people suffering from ailments related to heart, followed by Bangalore, Mumbai , Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Pune. Survey results in Delhi found that hectic lifestyle and urbanisation are making people increasingly prone to CVDs.

As there is a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits.

At the all-India level, 72 per cent of the corporate employees suffer from CVDs. Night shifts can take extra toll in this regard.

Night shift workers are 52 per cent more at risk than day workers of suffering a stroke or heart attack.

“People in these working shifts also have higher levels of unhealthy behaviours such as eating junk food, sleeping badly and not exercising, which are linked to heart problems,” said the survey.

ASSOCHAM’s health committee chairperson Dr B K Rao said, “Shift work has long been known to disrupt the body clock and be linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.”

Around 55 per cent of the survey respondents fall under the age bracket of 20 to 29 years, followed by 26 per cent under 30 to 39 years, 16 per cent under 40 to 49 years, two per cent under 50 to 59 years and one per cent under 60 to 69 years.

The survey targeted corporate employees from 18 broad sectors, with maximum share contributed by employees from IT and ITes and BPO sector, about 17 per cent.

Employees working in engineering and telecom sector contributed nine and eight per cent respectively. 

The shift work was defined as evening shifts, irregular or unspecified shifts, mixed schedules, night shifts and rotating shifts.

Obesity and depression appeared on second and third positions after heart diseases with 21 per cent of the respondents suffering these lifestyle disorders.

High blood pressure and diabetes were fourth and fifth with a share of 12 per cent and eight per cent respectively.