New danger of cholesterol (RapidEye/E+/Getty Images)
If you think that high cholesterol is just a problem of obesity or aging, then this news may surprise you. A new report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows that about 87% of the adults in the country are suffering from some kind of abnormal cholesterol (dyslipidemia) problem. That means the balance of good and bad cholesterol in the body of about 9 out of every 10 people is disturbed. The biggest concern is that most people are not even aware of it, because no specific symptoms are visible in the initial stages.
According to ICMR-INDIAB study, this problem is seen relatively more in women, people living in cities and people of Central India. Apart from this, the risk of high cholesterol increases manifold in people suffering from diabetes, pre-diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Doctors say that due to high cholesterol for a long time, fat starts accumulating in the arteries of the heart, which increases the risk of serious diseases like heart attack and stroke.
Weight doesn’t tell
It has been said in the report that dyslipidemia does not just mean increase in bad (LDL) cholesterol. Many people have low levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, while some have high levels of triglycerides. All these conditions increase the risk of heart diseases. The matter of concern is that this problem can occur even in people who appear completely healthy and have normal weight. Therefore, it is not right to assume that cholesterol will be normal just by looking at the weight.
What things should you stay away from?
Experts say that regular lipid profile checks should be done after the age of 30, especially if there is a family history of heart disease, diabetes or high BP. Habits like regular exercise, balanced diet, staying away from fried and processed foods, avoiding smoking and alcohol and adequate sleep help in controlling cholesterol. Many serious heart diseases can be avoided by timely testing and changes in lifestyle.
People of which age are more at risk?
In the study, lipid profiles of 23,665 people from all states and union territories were analyzed. The study showed that the risk of dyslipidemia, or abnormal cholesterol, is highest in people aged 30 to 39 years and it often starts around the age of 30. According to diabetes expert Dr R M Anjana, now abnormal cholesterol has become a common problem among most Indian adults.
Higher risk among urban women
The report also revealed that this risk is higher among urban women as compared to village women. Experts say that processed food, working while sitting for a long time and lack of physical activities are the main reasons for this. He believes that not only people with diabetes, obesity or high BP, but there is a need for regular cholesterol testing on a large scale and timely changes in lifestyle, so that serious risks like heart attack and stroke can be reduced in future.
