India faces a disproportionate burden of heart disease, with 60% of cases worldwide, despite accounting for less than 20% of the global population, as per public health data. Compounding the problem, younger people experience escalating obesity and hypertension rates, increasing their vulnerability to early-onset heart disease. In India, 50% of all heart attacks in men happen before age 50, and 25% before age 40. Women also suffer from high heart disease-related mortality rates.
A myriad of lifestyle factors contribute to the prevalence of heart conditions among young Indians, such as unhealthy habits, sedentary living, obesity, and smoking. In addition to diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, another lesser-known independent risk factor for heart disease is elevated blood homocysteine levels. Dr. Sameer Gupta, an Interventional Cardiologist and Head of Cardiology for the Metro Group of Hospitals, discusses the importance of homocysteine testing in identifying heart disease risk.
Tata 1mg Labs’ recent study analyzed 4609 homocysteine tests conducted in Mumbai within the last two years. The results indicate that a staggering 87.57% of those tested had higher-than-normal homocysteine levels, predisposing them to heart complications like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Intriguingly, women outperformed men, with only 36.84% showing elevated homocysteine levels, as opposed to 62.93% of men.
Dr. Gupta underscores the need to assess homocysteine levels in relation to other risk factors and patient backgrounds. While high homocysteine levels correlate with increased risk, there is no definitive proof that interventions to lower homocysteine will reduce heart disease risk. Nonetheless, regular heart health evaluations and early detection of heart conditions are essential for appropriate treatment and enhanced health outcomes.
