The reason behind increasing heart issues in Indians

Over the past few decades, we have seen cardiovascular diseases emerge as a great concern in our country, with mortality rates related to it rising from 2.26 million in 1990 to 4.77 million in 2020. In fact, India is listed among the countries with the highest cardiovascular disease burden. Heart attack and stroke alone contribute to nearly 85 per cent of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. Luckily, both of these are preventable in 80 per cent of the cases.

Now, the question is, “What is the reason behind the increasing heart issues in Indians?”

Well, there are several factors that may be held accountable for the increasing cases of heart disease in the Indian population. In this blog, we have elaborated on two of the most common of these with the help of the best cardiologist in Indore.

Obesity -

Obesity is a complex disease marked by the excessive build-up of fat in the body. Earlier it was believed that the problem is harmless and the only way in which it affects someone is by negatively impacting their cosmetic appearance, however, now it is very much clear that obesity is a leading risk factor for a variety of serious health problems.

We cannot simply deny the fact that carrying extra pounds on your body is going to put an additional load on your heart as well. The additional fat not only weighs you down but also triggers harmful chemical changes that can spike up one’s risk of developing heart disease. Obesity has also been linked with inflammation as it can lead to the secretion of hormones that can trigger the same. When this happens, your body is not able to make the best use of the insulin produced by your pancreas and this can eventually lead to insulin resistance.

Obesity is a problem that affects millions in our country and this not only includes adults but small children as well. As per Unicef’s World Obesity Atlas, it has been predicted that India will have more than 27 million children with obesity, by 2030. While the problem can be blamed on the day-to-day choices of the people, top cardiologists in Indore suggest that we cannot also ignore the fact that it further worsened during the Pandemic and Lockdown, when sitting in our homes was not a choice, but rather a necessity.

Eating habits -

Indians love food and there’s nothing that can make you think otherwise. With countless cuisines and flavours, you’ll always have something new to surprise your palette. Indian cooking style is very different from the Western one. There is excessive use of spices, oil, ghee and sugar.

In India, our meals are incomplete without a sweet dish. Whether you are eating out, or at home, we always crave something sweet post meals. These sugary foods may seem like a treat for your palate, but when it comes to your health, they can prove to be the greatest enemy of your heart.

Indians are also fond of experimenting with spices and there are so many of them that one would actually lose count. While some of the spices may benefit your health, others can put an increased strain on your heart.

Indians also add a lot of carbs to their diet, whether it is in the form of rice, maida or cooking oil, without taking into account how it will affect their health. Excessive carb intake has also been associated with heart problems.

Also, we use too much salt in our food. Now you must be wondering how salt can affect our hearts. Surprisingly it’s true. Increased salt intake can cause your blood pressure to rise and put you at a higher risk of developing problems related to the arteries.

Conclusion

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that India has become the World Capital of Cardiovascular ailments and as such it has become extremely important for us to mend our regular choices and focus on healthy living. To know more about the same, you can consult the experts from the best cardiology hospital in Indore.