Being an Indian is now considered a heart attack risk hazard. An Indian doctor settled in the US is 17 times more likely to suffer from heart disease than his US counterpart. Heart disease in Indians develops 10 years earlier than in the Americans. The disease in the Indians is more diffuse and more lethal. This was stated by Padma Shri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal and President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Dr. Mohan Bhargava, Senior Cardiologist, Max Hospital.
Indians also have more chances of developing diabetes. What’s more, diabetes in Indians is also different. Their criteria for diagnosis are also tighter. While a body mass index of 25 in the US is considered normal, in India the same is regarded as overweight. Indians also develop osteoporosis 10 years earlier than the US citizens.
However, when it comes to other diseases, Indians have less chances of developing cancers of the colon (number one cancer in the US), cancers of the skin, melanomas, Alzheimer’s disease etc.
Key words: India, HCFI, Heart Care Foundation of India, Padmashri, Dr B C Roy National Awardee, Dr KK, Dr K K Aggarwal, Heart disease in India, Dr Mohan Bhargava, Diabetes in India, Cancers in India, Indian a risk factor for heart disease.