Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and disability in urban women
Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and disability in urban women
New Delhi, September 24, 2016: In India, urban women are more at risk of heart disease today than they were three years ago. The reasons for this include an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by a predominantly high trans fat, sugar and salt diet, inadequate physical exercise, increased stress levels, dependence on addictive and extremely harmful substances like alcohol and cigarettes amongst others. The largest group of women at risk of CVD are aged 35-44. CVD risk is as high amongst housewives as it is amongst working professionals. As far as risk factors for CVD are concerned, low HDL and high BMI are the two most common contributors to CVD risk setting in as early as 35 years for women.
“Important differences between women and men in the presentation of heart disease make it more difficult to establish a diagnosis in women. For instance heart disease in women generally presents 10 years later than men and with greater risk factor burden. Women are also less likely than men to have typical angina and have a higher false positive rate in the tredmill test.
The symptops women face are also different than those faced by men”, said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President HCFI & President Elect IMA.
It is a fact that women are more likely to present initially with chest pain than a more clearly defined event such as heart attack. Many cases of heart attack in women also go unrecognized. In addition to this small vessel disease is more common in women than in men.
The established risk factors of heart disease in women include the presence of history of heart blockages; age over 55 years; high LDL (bad cholestol) or low HDL (good cholestrol) , diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease or family history of heart disease.
Risk factors, which are more potent in women than in men include regular consumption of tabocco which causes 50% of all coronary events in women; obesity and diabetes.
Following are the ways in which women can prevent future heart disease
- Moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes and for 60 to 90 minutes for weight management on most days of the week
- Avoidance and cessation of cigarette smoking and passive smoking
- Keep waist circumference less than 35 inches
- Consume a heart-friendly diet
- Presence of high triglyceride levels. One should add Omega 3 fatty acids to diet.
- Control cholesterol level, high blood pressure and diabetes
- Women who smoke should avoid oral contraceptive pills.
- Aspirin 80 mg in more than 65 years of age should be added
Treat underlying depression.
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About Heart Care Foundation of India
Initiated in 1986, the Heart Care Foundation of India is a leading National NGO working in the field of creating mass health awareness among people from all walks of life and providing solutions for India’s everyday healthcare needs. The NGO uses consumer-based entertainment modules to impart health education and increase awareness amongst people. A leading example of this is the Perfect Health Mela; an annual event started in 1993 that is attended by over 2-3 lakh people each year. The Mela showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars and check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. In addition to this, the NGO conducts programs and camps to train people on the technique of hands only CPR through its CPR 10 mantra for revival after a sudden cardiac arrest. They currently hold three Limca book of world records for the maximum number of people trained in hands-only CPR in one go. Keeping article 21 of the Indian Constitution in mind, which guarantees a person Right to Life, Heart Care Foundation of India has also recently initiated a project called the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund to ensure that no one dies of a heart disease just because they cannot afford treatment.
