Former Director Grade Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
www.daylife.page
Heart attack rates in India are high, and the number of deaths from heart attacks has been increasing in recent years. According to government of India The annual number of deaths from heart diseases in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020) . Coronary heart disease prevalence rates in India have been estimated over the past several decades and have ranged from 1.6% to 7.4% in rural populations and from 1% to 13.2% in urban populations. In 2022, 32,457 people died from heart attacks in India, a 12.5% increase from the previous year. Heart attacks are on the rise in patients aged 20-30 years old. Not long ago, heart attacks were primarily a problem faced by older adults. It was rare for anyone younger than 40 to have a heart attack. Now 1 in 5 heart attack patients are younger than 40 years of age.. Between the years 2000-2016, the heart attack rate increased by 2% every year in this young age group.
Contributory Factors
The major contributory factors for this increase is Poor food choices. Indian youth started taking rather than home- made food Fast and ultra processed foods, and Sugary drinks, added to this they developed fancy for gym; they Heavy workout and for developing muscles mass started taking Steroids.
Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and try to separate some of the facts from the myths. UPFs are generally packaged foods that contain ingredients to extend shelf life and improve taste and palatability. It's important because 60%-70 urban youth like, if not more, UPFs. So, the relationship between UPFs and CVD and other health outcomes is actually very important. Often, UPFs will include additives, such as preservatives, flavor enhancers, colorants, emulsifiers, and sweeteners, and they tend to have an excess amount of calories, added sugars, added salt, sodium, and saturated fat. The packaging can be high in bisphenols(cancer causing), which have also been linked to some health outcomes.
In other studies, these UPFs have been linked to weight gain and some changes in the microbe composition in the gut. Some studies have linked higher UPF intake with type 2 diabetes. A few have looked at certain selected UPF foods and found a higher risk for CVD, but a really comprehensive look at this question hasn't been done.
In comparing the highest quintile vs the lowest quintile [of total UPF intake], it was noticed that some of the UPFs were associated with significant elevations in risk for CVD. These included sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats. But some UPFs were linked with a lower risk for CVD. These included breakfast cereals, yogurt, some dairy desserts, and whole grains.
Overall, it seemed that UPFs are actually quite diverse in their association with health. It's not one size fits all. They're not all created equal, and some of these differences matter. Although overall we would recommend that our diets be focused on whole foods, primarily plant based, lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and other whole foods, it seems from this report and the meta-analysis that certain types of UPFs can be incorporated into a healthy diet and don't need to be avoided entirely.
Overweight and obesity are key players in heart attacks
Being overweight has a significant influence on risk of having a heart attack for several reasons. For starters, carrying extra weight places a high demand on your heart. Obesity alone makes you more likely to have a heart attack even if you’re otherwise healthy. However, patients who are overweight and obese often have other health conditions that detract from their heart health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Substance abuse takes a toll on the heart
The experts are still studying the effect of marijuana on your heart, but they know that it boosts your heart rate and raises your risk of having a heart attack. Cocaine’s impact on your heart, however, is well established. Cocaine increases your heart rate, tightens your blood vessels, and raises your blood pressure, all of which are associated with heart attacks.Many heart attacks are preventable because one can change the risk factors by making lifestyle changes and taking medications if needed to protect health.
Some suggestions to avoid CVD
Healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Regular exercise
Quitting smoking
Limiting alcohol consumption
Managing stress
Adequate sleep
Controlling blood pressure
Regular health check-ups
(The author has his own study and views)
