As we celebrated World Heart Attack Day on September 29th, 2020 to create and increase awareness of heart health among the general population. Heart diseases and strokes are the world’s leading health issue, claiming the lives of 17.3 million people with the numbers only rising.
Diseases related to the heart and blood vessels are called cardiovascular diseases(CVDS).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) CVDS is the biggest reason for death in India.
The average age of people with heart ailments is definitely coming down. (8-19 years)
By the next 5-10 years, 20 percent of the population would be affected.
This is a cause of grave concern to the general public.
In India 30 lakh people suffer from heart attack every year and nearly 10 lakh people die out of them. 15 percent of them die even before reaching the hospital and most of them are in the most productive years of their age. (30-50 years)
Now what are the key risk factors of having a heart attack at a young age listed below,
- ·Substance abuse or excessive alcohol intake.
- Smoking
- High BP
- High cholesterol levels
- Lack of physical activity
- Diabetes
- Poor diet
- Genetic/ Familial factors
But the good news is 80 percent of these premature heart attacks and strokes can be present.
Lifestyle modification is the key factor to reduce the risk factors as well as prevent premature heart attacks.
This approach is simple, affordable and effective which includes,
· Regular moderate intensity aerobic (isotonic) exercise like brisk walking, cycling, jogging and swimming( 5 days a week for 30 minutes daily) helps in reducing heart attacks by a whopping 30 percent.
· It also reduces BP, weight and controls sugar levels and liquid in the body.
· Thrive on healthy food instead of junk food which includes our daily diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, soy products and low fat dairy products.
· Avoid trans fatty acids (partially dehydrated vegetable fats) used in fast food culture, cookies, chips, etc as they increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol H&L.
· Avoid tobacco consumption and excessive alcohol consumption.
· Adopting healthy habits starting from an early age is essential so that we can prevent risk factors for heart attack.
