Lucknow: Indians may be more vulnerable to heart disease at a younger age—about 10 years earlier than many Western populations—due to a combined effect of genetics, environment and lifestyle, said Prof Rishi Sethi, head of cardiology at King George’s Medical University (KGMU).
Prof Rishi Sethi, head of cardiology at KGMU
Speaking ahead of KGMU’s Cardiology Townhall and film screening, “The Brown Heart Syndrome”, scheduled for Monday, Sethi said Indians develop heart disease and complex coronary artery disease because of a three-part mix of “bad genes, bad environment and bad lifestyle and diet.”Sethi said Indians have a genetic tendency to develop more visceral fat, which accumulates around internal organs rather than under the skin and is often seen as abdominal or belly fat. Visceral fat is associated with high blood sugar, diabetes, hypertension and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits narrow arteries and restrict blood flow.He said cholesterol-related changes in arteries can begin around 40 years of age in Indians, compared with about 55 to 60 years in many Western populations, increasing the risk of premature coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Since the process develops silently over years, many people remain unaware of the risk until symptoms appear.Among tests being highlighted is Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a cholesterol-carrying particle whose levels are largely inherited. A high Lp(a) can indicate a genetic predisposition to heart disease even when routine cholesterol results look normal, helping clinicians identify people at higher cardiovascular risk.Sethi stressed that genes alone do not cause heart disease, and that poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can accelerate artery damage.KGMU programme will include “The Brown Heart Journey” by Dr S Nirmal and Dr Renu Joshi, followed by a discussion with faculty and experts moderated by Dr Akshyaya Pradhan. KGMU vice-chancellor Prof Sonia Nityanand is also scheduled to address the gathering. Pradhan urged those with a family history or other risk factors to discuss preventive screening and risk management with doctors.
