“Easterners experience heart issues earlier than West”
Heart disease has emerged as a disturbing health crisis for India. As per a leading doctors' group, Indians suffer cardiac problems about 10 years before citizens of Western nations. This is a worrying trend that demands immediate attention.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like heart attacks and strokes are the top cause of death globally. India accounts for a high number of such fatalities each year. More concerning is that CVDs strike Indians at a relatively young age compared to other populations. The Association of Physicians of India notes that cardiac mortality is also substantially higher for the country.
Experts point to genetics, diet and lifestyle factors for this early vulnerability. Traditionally, Indians consume diets high in unhealthy fats and cholesterol. Western habits like smoking and alcoholism have further compounded cardiac risks for younger Indians. Lack of physical activity is another key issue.
Addressing the crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. Promoting healthy dietary choices, exercise and stress management from an early age can help delay CVD onset. It is also crucial to detect hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol timely through screening. Public awareness on heart attack symptoms must be enhanced to ensure prompt medical intervention.
With timely preventive measures and detection, India can curb this growing non-communicable health threat facing its large youth pool. Concerted efforts are needed to make heart care more accessible so no lives are cut short prematurely due to cardiac illnesses. The future well-being of India depends on tackling this critical challenge head-on.
