A recent study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has shed light on the 10-year risk of heart disease among Indian adults. The study revealed that unemployed individuals are at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, adults with high blood sugar levels also face an increased risk. Making both unemployment and high blood sugar major factors for heart disease in India.
Study Details: Participants and Data Collection
The study analysed data from nearly 4,500 adults aging between 40 and 69 years. About half of the participants were younger, aged 40-49 years. The data collected through surveys and questionnaires, including those developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to measure physical activity levels.
Key Findings: Heart Disease Risk Among Indian Adults
The study found that among the group, approximately 85% had a very low-to-low chance of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, about 14.5% were at moderate risk, and 1% were at a high-to-very high risk of developing these conditions.
The researchers noted that men were twice as likely as women to have a higher than 10% risk of developing heart disease over the next 10 years. The study defined a very low-to-low chance as less than a 10% risk of experiencing heart-related diseases. A moderate chance indicated a 10-20% likelihood, while a high-to-very high chance suggested a more than 20% likelihood.
Impact of High Blood Sugar and Obesity
One of the study’s important findings was the impact of high blood sugar levels on heart disease risk. Among participants with high blood sugar levels, women had an 85% increased risk of developing heart conditions over the next 10 years, while men had a 77% higher risk.
Obesity also played a crucial role in increasing heart disease risk. Among obese participants, women had a 71% higher chance of developing heart conditions. While men had a 55% higher risk compare to those who were not obese.
ICMR: Urban vs. Rural Differences in Heart Disease Risk
The study also highlighted the differences in heart disease risk between urban and rural populations. Participants living in urban areas find to be at a higher risk of heart diseases. With 17.5% having more than a 10% risk compare to 13.8% of those living in rural areas. Notably, about two-thirds of the study group came from rural backgrounds.
Urban women participants had an 86% higher probability of having elevated 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than rural women participants. This finding underscores the growing health challenges in urban areas, where lifestyle factors may contribute to increased heart disease risk.
Unemployment as a Major Risk Factor
Perhaps one of the most striking findings of the study was the link between unemployment and heart disease risk. The researchers found that unemploye participants were at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases compare to employed individuals or homemakers. As the authors noted, “While 87-88 per cent of the latter two groups had a low risk of (cardiovascular diseases), only 54 per cent of the unemployed population had a low risk.”
This finding highlights the importance of employment and economic stability in maintaining heart health. Unemployment may lead to increased stress, reduced access to healthcare, and other factors that contribute to higher heart disease risk.
Significance of the ICMR Study
The study is notable because previous assessments of cardiovascular disease risk in India were often conducted using geographically localized samples, meaning a national estimate was missing. This study was the first to estimate risk in India using the non-laboratory-based WHO charts, providing a more comprehensive view of heart disease risk across the country.
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The findings of this ICMR study emphasize the need for targeted interventions to reduce heart disease risk among vulnerable groups, including the unemployed, those with high blood sugar levels, and urban populations. By addressing these risk factors, India can work towards reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and improving the overall health of its population.
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