New Delhi: While men are generally more susceptible to heart disease than women, heart problems are becoming increasingly common among young and premenopausal women in the country, health experts said on Sunday.
World Heart Day is celebrated every year on September 29 to raise awareness about the leading cause of death in India. This year’s theme is “Use your heart for action.” According to the ‘Global Burden of Disease Study’, heart disease is a leading cause of death among Indian women, accounting for more than 17 per cent of deaths.
“Women are generally protected until menopause. However, today we frequently come across many young premenopausal women suffering from heart attacks, heart diseases and other cardiac problems,” Dr S. Ramakrishnan, professor, department of cardiology, AIIMS-New Delhi, told IANS.
The increased risk is due to the high prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also a major concern among women as it increases the risk of heart disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a highly prevalent health condition seen in women today. It is characterized by weight gain, insulin resistance, prediabetes to diabetic conditions, androgen excess.
According to Dr Arati Adhe Rojekar, Consultant Gynecology, PD Hinduja Hospital and Mahim Medical Research Centre, said that PCOS has a huge impact on the blood vessels and also the heart.
“Obesity itself contributes to heart disease by raising levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. “Insulin resistance and excess androgens also increase cardiac risks,” he added.
A recent study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, showed up to a 51 percent increased risk of CVD in women.
Dr Sarita Rao, senior interventional cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, told IANS that women with PCOS, about one in five in India, could suffer from metabolic syndrome (MeTS), a group of conditions such as diabetes, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, which could affect cardiovascular health.
Experts called for routine heart health checks to enable early diagnosis.
Women with PCOS should make sure they stay physically active and maintain a healthy diet so they don’t develop other lifestyle diseases, experts said.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the prevalence of coronary artery disease in women ranges from three to 13 percent. The study also states that the disease has increased more than 300 percent in the last 20 years.
Air pollution is another major contributor to the rise in heart disease. According to Dr. Ramakrishnan, there are good studies that have documented increased chances of heart attacks when pollution levels are very high.
“Air pollution is becoming, like smoking, one of the biggest risk factors,” he added, suggesting that people begin moderate aerobic exercise at least five days a week.
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