We are a nation of the young where 54 percent of our population is enjoying the prime of youth. But a black spot in this sunny picture is the increasing rate of heart disease among the youth.
Today, the average age in which a person may suffer a heart attack has come down from 40 years to 30 years. And this is mainly a result of today’s changing lifestyles. In fact the rate of coronary heart disease in the Indian community - particularly in young men - is almost twice as high as their western counterparts.
Causes Of The Increase:
So what are the reasons or factors which have resulted in an increase in the number of heart patients in India?
“Modern life style has proven to be the stimulus for the growth of heart diseases among the youth” says Dr Ashok Seth , Chief Invasive and Interventional Cardiology, Escorts Heart Institute. "Improper food habits, lack of physical activity and this coupled with high level of stress and increase in smoking and alcohol consumption are all classic risk factors which can put one high on the risk zone of coronary heart diseases. Sadly all these have become a part of the Indian youth’s life style.”
Not only college and school going students, but even working professionals have adopted the ways of this modern life style, and this has proved to be the instigator of heart diseases.
Food Culture:
Junk food joints like Mc Donald’s, Pizza Hut etc. have become “hang out“ points not only for college students, but also amongst young professionals, who go for a quick bite to save time.
We Indians already have a food culture which indulges itself in rich food which is fried in ghee, or foods as sweetmeats etc. This along with the addition of junk food to our diet and reduced physical activity has translated into increased heart risks.
The Biological Factor:
The LDL (low density cholesterol) which is a result of such food habits puts us in the high risk zone as far as the heart diseases are concerned. The cholesterol gets deposited in the arteries making them narrower and narrower. As a result the blood supply to the heart gets thwarted. This leads to heart attacks.
However a thing which renders us Indians vulnerable to the risk is the biological fact that we Indians have narrower arteries than our European counterparts. According to Dr. Upendra Kaul, Director Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, “It is important that one keeps a regular check on his\her weight. A BMI ( Body Mass Index) of more than 23 is bad news for your heart.”
Stress & Work Pressure>>
Stress & Work Pressure:
High-strung lifestyle is also another reason for the increase in Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD). With the increase in the competition levels and the pressure to perform, youngsters are faced with the problem of stress at a very early stage. Things only deteriorate once they get into a job.
With the advent of MNC work culture in India, increased work pressure and increasing need for performance in the workplace, it has led to increased stress in the executive lifestyles. This type of a lifestyle increases the risk of developing heart disease by 10-15 times.
A sedentary life style since childhood, lack of proper exercise, genetic factors, fat and dietary conditions also dramatically raise the risk of developing coronary heart diseases.
Smoking A Fad:
Smoking has become a fad in the young generation. It is seen as an in thing today and is considered as a fashion statement. However found to be the predominant cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. WHO estimates that globally 1.1 billion people smoke and about one-third are below the 16 years of age.
Now let us look at why tobacco is harmful to health. Tobacco smoke contains a host of chemicals in the form of particles and gases which are potential carcinogens. However the most harmful toxins that are present in tobacco are Tar, Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide.
Harmful Effects Of Smoking:
Whereas, nicotine is a highly addictive and toxic substance that diffuses into the blood stream causing various types of disorders. This has a variety of adverse effects on the body like increasing heart rate, blood pressure and it damages the inner lining of the blood supply to the heart causing endothelial dysfunction, which increases the risk of a person being exposed to coronary artery disease.
Carbon monoxide on its part is absorbed into the blood stream via the lungs and replaces oxygen from hemoglobin. This decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and decrease in the oxygen content results in damage of body cells. Says Dr Kaul "Professionals smoke because they feel it helps them to ease their tension. What they don’t think about is the adverse effect it would have on their health.”
Effects Of Alcohol:
Alcohol is another factor which is responsible for the rise of coronary diseases amongst the youth. Alcohol has shown to depress the left ventricle of heart, which pumps blood into the body.
When this part of the heart is depressed, two things happen: The heart has to pump harder to get blood to your cells, and your cells and tissues don't get the supply needed for optimal functioning. If you also consider that strength training increases the thickness of the left ventricle, it only makes sense that anything that interrupts optimal functioning of this structure won't help you in the gym.
A recent investigation examined the relationship of alcohol consumption, heart disease and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol. LDL moves into cells, such as the fibroblasts in the walls of the arteries, where it forms the plaque and fatty deposits that clog arteries. The higher the ratio of LDL to HDL, the greater the risk of heart attack.
In Conclusion:
Couple this with all the above said factors such as calorie rich food and a sedentary life style and you have put yourselves in the maximum danger zone as far as CHD ( Coronary Heart Diseases) are concerned.
So if all these habits apply to you sit up and take notice. If you are young, it does not mean you are impervious to heart diseases. The only solution to the problem is leading a well balanced and healthy life style. And it is never too early when it comes to matters of the heart.
Source: http://health.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-479575,prtpage-1.cms
Today, the average age in which a person may suffer a heart attack has come down from 40 years to 30 years. And this is mainly a result of today’s changing lifestyles. In fact the rate of coronary heart disease in the Indian community - particularly in young men - is almost twice as high as their western counterparts.
Causes Of The Increase:
So what are the reasons or factors which have resulted in an increase in the number of heart patients in India?
“Modern life style has proven to be the stimulus for the growth of heart diseases among the youth” says Dr Ashok Seth , Chief Invasive and Interventional Cardiology, Escorts Heart Institute. "Improper food habits, lack of physical activity and this coupled with high level of stress and increase in smoking and alcohol consumption are all classic risk factors which can put one high on the risk zone of coronary heart diseases. Sadly all these have become a part of the Indian youth’s life style.”
Not only college and school going students, but even working professionals have adopted the ways of this modern life style, and this has proved to be the instigator of heart diseases.
Food Culture:
Junk food joints like Mc Donald’s, Pizza Hut etc. have become “hang out“ points not only for college students, but also amongst young professionals, who go for a quick bite to save time.
We Indians already have a food culture which indulges itself in rich food which is fried in ghee, or foods as sweetmeats etc. This along with the addition of junk food to our diet and reduced physical activity has translated into increased heart risks.
The Biological Factor:
The LDL (low density cholesterol) which is a result of such food habits puts us in the high risk zone as far as the heart diseases are concerned. The cholesterol gets deposited in the arteries making them narrower and narrower. As a result the blood supply to the heart gets thwarted. This leads to heart attacks.
However a thing which renders us Indians vulnerable to the risk is the biological fact that we Indians have narrower arteries than our European counterparts. According to Dr. Upendra Kaul, Director Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, “It is important that one keeps a regular check on his\her weight. A BMI ( Body Mass Index) of more than 23 is bad news for your heart.”
Stress & Work Pressure>>
Stress & Work Pressure:
High-strung lifestyle is also another reason for the increase in Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD). With the increase in the competition levels and the pressure to perform, youngsters are faced with the problem of stress at a very early stage. Things only deteriorate once they get into a job.
With the advent of MNC work culture in India, increased work pressure and increasing need for performance in the workplace, it has led to increased stress in the executive lifestyles. This type of a lifestyle increases the risk of developing heart disease by 10-15 times.
A sedentary life style since childhood, lack of proper exercise, genetic factors, fat and dietary conditions also dramatically raise the risk of developing coronary heart diseases.
Smoking A Fad:
Smoking has become a fad in the young generation. It is seen as an in thing today and is considered as a fashion statement. However found to be the predominant cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. WHO estimates that globally 1.1 billion people smoke and about one-third are below the 16 years of age.
Now let us look at why tobacco is harmful to health. Tobacco smoke contains a host of chemicals in the form of particles and gases which are potential carcinogens. However the most harmful toxins that are present in tobacco are Tar, Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide.
Harmful Effects Of Smoking:
Whereas, nicotine is a highly addictive and toxic substance that diffuses into the blood stream causing various types of disorders. This has a variety of adverse effects on the body like increasing heart rate, blood pressure and it damages the inner lining of the blood supply to the heart causing endothelial dysfunction, which increases the risk of a person being exposed to coronary artery disease.
Carbon monoxide on its part is absorbed into the blood stream via the lungs and replaces oxygen from hemoglobin. This decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and decrease in the oxygen content results in damage of body cells. Says Dr Kaul "Professionals smoke because they feel it helps them to ease their tension. What they don’t think about is the adverse effect it would have on their health.”
Effects Of Alcohol:
Alcohol is another factor which is responsible for the rise of coronary diseases amongst the youth. Alcohol has shown to depress the left ventricle of heart, which pumps blood into the body.
When this part of the heart is depressed, two things happen: The heart has to pump harder to get blood to your cells, and your cells and tissues don't get the supply needed for optimal functioning. If you also consider that strength training increases the thickness of the left ventricle, it only makes sense that anything that interrupts optimal functioning of this structure won't help you in the gym.
A recent investigation examined the relationship of alcohol consumption, heart disease and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol. LDL moves into cells, such as the fibroblasts in the walls of the arteries, where it forms the plaque and fatty deposits that clog arteries. The higher the ratio of LDL to HDL, the greater the risk of heart attack.
In Conclusion:
Couple this with all the above said factors such as calorie rich food and a sedentary life style and you have put yourselves in the maximum danger zone as far as CHD ( Coronary Heart Diseases) are concerned.
So if all these habits apply to you sit up and take notice. If you are young, it does not mean you are impervious to heart diseases. The only solution to the problem is leading a well balanced and healthy life style. And it is never too early when it comes to matters of the heart.
Source: http://health.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-479575,prtpage-1.cms
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