Does India have a Young Heart?

Ramesh Thakur (36) a software engineer working in an IT firm was feeling breathlessness for over 2 weeks. He initially ignored it but when he went for a routine check up done by his company he got the shock of his life. He is suffering from high blood pressure. His heart age was 92 years.
Dr. C. N. Manjunath, Professor & HOD – Cardiology of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiac Sciences and Research, Bangalore also observes that “Cardiovascular disease has emerged as a major non communicable disease in the Indian subcontinent.What is alarming is that younger population is becoming more vulnerable to coronary heart disease resulting in premature deaths. 23%, who develop heart attacks today are below the age of 40 years of age. The common factors are smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, hypertension and stress. In fact we have been receiving young patients in the age group of 23 to 30 who are falling prey to this dreaded disease. The main reason seems to be overwork, stress and physical strain though these patients do not have any conventional risk factors.”
But does the heart have its own age? "The calendar age of a person is the age in numbers while biological age is determined by the way you manage your body. The biological age of the person is what matters in the long run, not the chronological age," says Dr. Ajit Menon, Cardiologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai.
Dr. Nithin Kabra, HOD- cardiology of Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad concurs and adds “ The high risk for AMI in South Asians in their younger age is largely determined by the higher levels of the 9 conventional risk factors namely – abnormal Lipids, smoking, systemic Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Abdominal Obesity, Psychosocial factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, alcohol and regular physical activities which collectively explain 86% of the AMI risk in south Asians. An important factor to note is that in our country we see a higher level of risk factors In both cases and controls under the age of 60 years. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the major contributing factors to the rapid aging of the heart and vessels in our young population. ”
But the Question is Why Young Indian have a Heart age which is more than there Biological age?
The standard theory is: so-called "thrifty genes" developed in Indians over billions of years of evolution to survive drought and famine in the subcontinent metabolise food lowly and conserve as much fat and carbohydrate as possible. But at a time when scarcity is no longer the issue, the genes continue to work. The outcome? A dysfunctional biochemical profile.
In the opinion of Dr. Ritu Bhatia, Cardiologist, Pune “ Today with modern diagnostic tools and tests available across the country now, heart attacks can be predicted with over 90 per cent accuracy. There are tests that can indicate one's risk: from clinical examination and estimation of body mass index to testing biochemical parameters like blood sugar, lipid profile, high-sensitivity CRP in blood, stress testing, measuring carotid IMT and arterial stiffness to CT coronary angiograms/ coronary Angiography.”
“ Annual checkup including Treadmill ECG is recommended for males above 25years and females above 45 years, adds Dr. Manjunath Dr. Dhiman Kahali, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Kolkata further sheds light on the topic “ Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke are predictable, preventable and curable in 90% of the population by modifying risk factors like smoking, exercise, high cholesterol (Lipids), diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, excessive weight etc. We Indians get Heart Disease 1 to 2 decades earlier because of our faulty life style habits and not because of Thrifty Indian Gene. We can reduce shortening of telomere length and there by increase our heart age significantly by following good life style practices. Good life style habits not only cut down risk of Heart Attack and Stroke but also diseases like cancer, arthritis and other stress related diseases. "
All is not lost. With awareness and education increasing amongst the Young India the Heart age can be reversed reducing the heart attack risk Dr. Manjunath advises that for a healthy heart one has to follow the algorithms of 5 point formula i.e. Lower is Better: Blood Sugar, Blood Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Ideal Body Weight, Over Ambition.
With contributions from:
Dr. Ajit Menon, Cardiologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Dr. C. N. Manjunath, Professor & HOD, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore
Dr. Dhiman Kahali, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, B. M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Kolkata
Dr. Nithin Kabra , HOD- Cardiology of Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad
Dr. Ritu Bhatia, Cardiologist, Pune
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the Doctors are their independent professional judgment and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered as an a substitute for Physician's advice. Please consult your treating Physician for more details.