Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Canker In Indian Hearts

Relative risk of hospitalisation for CAD

(Source: US study across different ethnicities cited in Cardiology Today, Sep-Oct 2001)

Standard measures like blood pressure and cholesterol level can show CAD risk. But datanow shows that genetic predisposition skews test results; so Indians are far more likelyto get ill than indicators like cholesterol suggest.

* for cholesterol

(Source: Studies in Europe & South Asia cited in CardiologyToday, Sep-Oct 2001)

Modifiable factors:
High blood pressure
Tobacco usage
Central obesity—
waist size > 90cms men
> 80cms women
Generalised obesity—BMI*>22
Diabetes
High LDL levels
High triglyceride levels
Hypertension
High saturated fat diet
Sedentary lifestyle

New factors
High homocysteine levels
High lipoprotien (a) levels with low HDL levels
Concentration of dense, small LDL particles
Tendency to store fat from birth

Tackling CAD

• Never use any tobacco product
• Cut saturated fat intake
• Cut salt intake to <6 grams daily
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
• Don’t cook vegetables for too long
• Eat more sea-fish and nuts
• Use cooking oils with beneficial effects on lipids
• Avoid repeated use of oil used in deep-frying
• Get more exercise. Target 60 minutes a day.
• Balance calorie intake and expenditure

* Body Mass Index: Your BMI is your weight in kg divided by the square of your height inmetres (e.g., 70kg/(1.75 x 1.75)=22.86)