Cardiologist Indore Act now to save the hearts of those you love | Page 2

There are certain myths associated with heart diseases “It is a myth that cardiovascular disease
mostly affects males. In fact, heart disease is the reason for 1 in 3 female deaths each year. It’s
my urge to all Indian females that in their daily rush when they are being ideal wives and
mothers, please take at least a moment for yourself and listen to your own heart. After all,
health of the entire family depends on you. It is important that you should be healthy enough
so that you can extend your care to your family members.” “In fact not only adults, in today’s
world, our children are also at increased risk of heart disease. So there is no age or gender bar
to develop cardiovascular disease.”
“India is being known as the coronary and diabetes capital of the world. It is sad that we are
losing so many young lives,” . “But the solution is simple. We just need to make some small
changes in our lifestyle and if you have some heart problem, follow the instructions given by
your doctor rather than following Google.”
The Indian Heart Watch study, spanning 11 cities as well as mid-sized towns and covering 6,000
men and women, was the first to offer insights on risk factors for heart diseases in India.
According to the study report, around 79% of men and 83% of women (who participated in the
study) were physically inactive, while 51% men and 48% women had high-fat diets. About 60%
men and 57% women had a low intake of fruit and vegetables, while 12% men and 0.5%
women smoked. Around 41% of men and 45% of women were overweight or obese while high
blood pressure was reported in 33% men and 30% women, and high cholesterol was found in
one-quarter of all men and women. Diabetes was also reported in 34% men and 37% women.
After the elaborate discussion on the prevalence of various risk factors in India, Dr (name)
highlighted that these risk factors especially high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity
substantially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. “But the good news is that these risk
factors are modifiable and can be kept under our control”
To best combat heart disease in India, there needs to be a comprehensive approach, which will
require improvements in basic amenities, healthcare facilities and, perhaps most importantly,
education that will enable people to take responsibility for their own actions. “For tuberculosis
you have TB clinics. For malaria, you have the malaria control programme. For cardiovascular
diseases especially in rural areas, we have nothing so far. We need to educate people on
cardiovascular diseases and which emphasizes that if you want to save your loved ones from
this killer it is important that you make some small changes in your and your loved one’s lives.