Three-fold rise in cardiovascular disease in national capital, says survey

(Representational image)

New Delhi: Ahead of World Heart Day, a survey on Wednesday revealed that there has been a three-fold rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Delhiites over the last three years.

Meting out a warning for diabetics and obese people, the survey said that the risk of heart attack and stroke is increased for those suffering from the conditions. 

About 40 percent of men and 38 percent of women in the age group of 40 to 50 years have been tested positive for diabetes which has increased their chances of heart ailments.

Of these, 20 percent men and 22 percent women are obese too, said the survey by Indus Health Plus.

"In Delhi, young working women between the age group of 25 to 35 years are prone to heart diseases due to lack of estrogen," said Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist Indus Health Plus in a statement. 

"Prolonged intake of painkillers, hormonal and contraceptive pills can cause clotting of blood in the arteries. This coupled with unhealthy lifestyle and stress increases the risk of heart diseases."

According to the survey, more than 50 percent of corporate employees (both men and women) are suffering because of hypertension and heart ailments.

Furthermore, over 70 percent of urban men and 69 percent of rural men from the age group of 35-55 years are under the risk of heart diseases due to hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

The survey also revealed that 60 percent of urban as well as rural women between 25 and 40 years were ignorant of heart diseases.

Day-to-day lifestyle modifications and changes like jogging, stair climbing, healthy eating or playing an outdoor game will help in reducing the risk of heart ailments, Naikawadi added.

Wikipedia defines cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack).

Other CVDs include stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis.

(With IANS inputs)