Thirty somethings in metros found to have high cholesterol levels

Indians are at a high risk of coronary heart disease, suggests a pan-India survey conducted by Metropolis Healthcare Private Limited ahead of the World Heart Day. The survey found that a majority of people above 30 have alarmingly high cholesterol levels.

The survey covered major cities and wes divided into four zones -- South, North, East and West. Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, Surat in the West zone, Delhi in the North zone, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Thissur in the South zone and Kolkata in the East zone were part of the survey.

It screened 35,566 people and found that other than the genetic factor, obesity and sedentary lifestyle were the main factors for Indians becoming prone to the Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

The survey found Delhi to be the capital for a large number of young people with high risk of coronary artery diseases, followed by Bangalore and Mumbai. In Delhi, a large percentage of the 5,721 respondents, which included men and women aged between 30 and 40, were found in the highest risk group for heart disease.

The survey findings suggest that this unhealthy trend is a direct result of a combination of over-eating, junk food and sedentary lifestyle. A substantial proportion of youngsters who participated in the survey have already showed the first signs of the onset of a heart ailment — hyper cholesterol and hypertension. The findings of the survey clearly reflect a dangerous trend, a press statement said. 

It also found that individuals have become more aware of the fact that heart disease is not just a disease of the elderly, and are now a lot more determined to combat this disease. Calling for regular screening of unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels, researchers at Metropolis said surveys such as the one conducted would help identify people who are at a greater risk of heart disease.