82% people of Delhi, Mumbai prone to heart disease due to stress: Survey

The survey conducted by ICICI Lombard involved face-to-face interviews with 50 cardiologists to burst myths associated with heart-related ailments and highlight the facts about cardiovascular disease

Going against the popular belief that improper diet and lack of exercise were responsible for heart disease, the survey conducted by ICICI Lombard reveals that stress is a prime cause of cardiac conditions. The survey also highlights that 82 per cent people in Delhi and Mumbai are more prone to cardiac disease — underscoring the fact that stress brought on by a hectic lifestyle was chiefly responsible for heart disease.

The survey also addresses people’s general perception that the 41-50 age group is most susceptible to cardiac ailments. According to the doctors interviewed in the survey, around 68 per cent contended that any age group could be vulnerable to heart disease.

Among other findings, 74 per cent of doctors said heart disease could affect people with any body type, while most people thought only the overweight were vulnerable. Cardiologists said that ‘high cholesterol’ foods were the primary cause of heart disease, and not oily and fatty foods as people would think. According to doctors, extreme fatigue in males and chest pain in females are the symptoms to look out for in a possible heart attack.

The cardiologists were unanimous in their view that those who exercised regularly were less vulnerable to heart disease, though 86 per cent said men were more susceptible than women.

Here are the key findings of the survey:

• 64 per cent cardiologists say stress is the main cause of cardiovascular disease
• Cardiac conditions can affect any age group and body type
• 58 per cent doctors believe foods with high cholesterol cause heart ailments
• 82 per cent cardiologists believe people of Mumbai and Delhi more prone to cardiac conditions