A cardiovascular disease (CVD) study, arguably India’s largest on risk factors precipitating heart disease, revealed that more than 70 per cent of 1.86 lakh urban Indian respondents are at risk for cardiovascular disease. The study, Suffolalfie Study, said 48 per cent of Mumbaikars are at the risk of getting a heart attack because of obesity. More than half of Mumbaikars have unhealthy cholesterol levels, while about 64 per cent live a sedentary lifestyle and avoid exercise. The study was conducted among 29,017 Mumbai respondents over a period of three years. Dr Akshay Mehta, senior cardiologist, Asian Heart Hospital, said, “Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk. This has affected the heart health of the young work force in the 30-44 age group.” Mumbai seems to have fared moderately better when it comes to percentage-wise risk factors. Those in Delhi and Chandigarh were found to be more obese (54 per cent each). Obesity was lowest in Kolkata with 47 per cent. Mumbai came a close second with 48 per cent. The study also showed the difference in heart age and actual age. “Heart age engages people in their heart health by estimating their preventable cardiovascular disease risk factors as their heart age — which could be older, younger or the same as their chronological age. We have been finding that more and more people today have heart age older than their actual age,” said Dr Mehta.
