'Gujaratis lead a genetically deformed lifestyle'

A heart attack is most often termed a lifestyle disease rather than a genetic disorder. However, cardiologists in Ahmedabad prefer combining the two causes. 

On World Heart Day on Thursday, we find that Gujaratis are blamed for living a 'genetically deformed lifestyle'. Explaining this, MD of Care Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Dr Milan Chag, said, "Nearly 30-40% heart attack patients we have are less than 50 years. And the major reason for the younger lot getting affected are a family history of heart trouble clubbed with a sedentary and stressful lifestyle."

Dr Chag continued: "Most of these young patients are living a life full of stress, junk food, consumption of tobacco and alcohol and absolutely nil physical activity."

Stressing on lack of physical activity, cardiologist from Shalby Hospitals, Dr Sunil Dhanvi pointed out, "Patients in the early 30s or late 20s have considerably increased. In fact in the last five years, the ratio has almost doubled and one can easily say that of 10 patients suffering from heart attack, at least two are in the early 30s."

Blaming it on genetics Dr Dhanvi too said, "Gujaratis are not inclined towards any form of physical activity, be it participating in sports or other forms of exercise. In addition, they are also genetically prone towards suffering from diabetes and cholesterol. Add their food habits and you find they are an easy target for heart ailments."

Head of the cardiology department, Sterling Hospital, Dr Shrenik Shah blamed genetics for creating a negative lifestyle for people in the state. He said, "Gujarati families are prone to develop and suffer from diabetes and cholesterol. Factors being genes and diet."

"Following close is lack of  activity, which is also absent in school going kids. Today, students don't participate in competitive sports, thanks to video games, television sets, computers and mobiles phones and hence there is a considerable drop in age of a patient. Earlier, heart attacks would occur in women aged 55 and men aged 45. However, now the age group is 30-40 years," said Dr Shah.

He also stressed that patients being in a lower age-group is likely to disturb the social pattern of a family and gradually society. 

Blaming lack of physical activity, Dr Shalin Thakur, cardiologist from Shalby said, "People must know that their heart is too small to take in so much stress.

The coronary arteries cannot take the stress put on it by a person, ignorant towards his or her health and  one day they give way. It is quite alarming to note that the percentage of patients in the younger age group in India is significantly higher than in western nations."