Not only men, but even women are now prone to cardiovascular diseases leading to heart attacks, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research said.
Delivering a lecture on cardiovascular diseases at a one-day seminar on major health issues organised by Bangalore University (BU), Dr Manjunath said 15 per cent women are now prone to heart attacks. “This is because of a shift in family pattern from joint families to nuclear, which has increased physical and emotional stress on women. It is also due to the fact that more and more women are working now,” she said.
He cited the example of a 28-year old woman who underwent an angioplasty procedure in the institute.
“I don’t know why women show a sense of averseness to exercise. The simplest thing one can do is walk and it is one of the best physical activities to stay away from heart attacks,” he observed.
According to him, the average age for men to get a heart attack has reduced to 45 years, while the average age for women is 55 years. “The most vulnerable are the Type A personalities who are often arrogant and bossy.”
Dr Manjunath also pointed out that genetic factors also contribute to the likelihood of a person suffering from heart attacks. “We analysed nearly 1,000 patients last year and found that 12 per cent of them had a family history of heart diseases,” he said.
He suggested that the government could bring in a law that mandates blood pressure and sugar level checks before applying for a SIM card, driving licence or BPL cards.
“This way, we can reach out to more people to create awareness about their own health,” he felt.