Financial stress can cause heart disease
The latest annual report of RBI for the fiscal year 2018-19 has confirmed that the Indian economy is in trouble. Economic recession, resulting in job loss, affects the stability of a family and individuals.
Our status, self-worth, health and well-being can be drastically impacted by the loss of a job. The effects of recession on families last a lot longer than the duration of the recession.
Individuals with mild financial stress had nearly twice the risk of developing heart disease than those unaffected by this stress. Coronary artery disease (CAD) has taken a form of epidemic in our country. It is a leading cause of mortality in our country, contributing to 30% of total death count.
In India, studies have reported increased prevalence of heart disease over the last 60 years, from 1% to 14% in urban population and from 1% to 7% in rural population. In comparison with the people of European ancestry, CVD affects Indians a decade earlier and in their most productive mid-life years.
The major risk factors for heart disease are diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, positive family history and smoking. In our own observational study of 60 patients of heart attack who underwent primary angioplasty, half of them were less than 40 years. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor amongst young patients. 30% patients were unemployed and under severe financial stress.
Tips for prevention of CAD:
Eat a heart-healthy diet: Eat n more protective foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, fish, nuts and olive oil.
Get more active: 150 mins a n week of moderate intensity exercise.
Lose weight. n
Stop smoking. n Control blood pressure and n sugar levels.
Limit alcohol intake: 30ml n for women and 45ml for men. Reduce stress: Practice n meditation and yoga and do deep breathing exercises.
The author of this article is Dr Manoj Kumar, HOD Cath Lab and director cardiology, Max Hospital, Patparganj