BANGALORE : The general perception is that heart diseases are more common among men. But according to a recent study by Saffolalife, 67 per cent of Indian women aged above 35 are at risk of contracting cardio-vascular diseases.
The study was conducted in four major cities —Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata — and the responses of 624 participants were analysed by IMRB (Indian Market Research Bureau) International. The study also found that the risk has increased in the last three years.
Dr B G Muralidhara, interventional cardiologist and chief of Cardiology, Trinity Hospital and Heart Foundation, says cardio-vascular diseases in women are usually because of low HDL/good cholestrol and high body mass index. Smoking, diabetes and high BP are the other reasons.
He adds that sedentary lifestyles, stressful work conditions and compromised diets too increase the risk. “It is alarming that those aged 35-44, who are most at risk of cardio-vascular disease, include both housewives and working women,” he says.
Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, chief dietitian, Apollo Hospitals, says, “High intake of saturated fat, sugar and salt, rising stress levels, smoking and physical inactivity are some of the main reasons for the deterioration of heart health among women.”