Young Indians aged 35 to 45 years are more susceptible to premature Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and can die 10 to 15 years earlier than similar-aged populations around the world, according to a 2005 study published in the Vascular Health journal by Indian researchers Meenakshi Sharma and Nirmal Kumar Ganguly.

According to cardiologists, the reasons range from hereditary to lifestyle-related. Several Indian families have a history of a cluster of health issues that can accelerate heart diseases – abdominal obesity, high fasting blood sugar or diabetes, like low good cholesterol and high triglycerides. Together, these are called metabolic syndrome.

Several Indians suffer from cholesterol problems because of the tendency to have low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. In comparison, Caucasians tend to have a higher HDL. This skewed lipid proportion could be an issue.

As per some cardiologists, the Indian morphology being slightly smaller could also be linked.

Other causes can include a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of food rich in carbohydrates, high mental stress levels, consumption of energy drinks, alcohol, or tobacco and sleep deprivation and irregular sleeping patterns.

What can be done about it?

It is recommended that one undergoes regular complete lipid profile and fasting blood glucose tests, every five years between 20 to 40 and then annually after 40.

If one gets abnormal readings, seek dietary advice and tips to change the lifestyle with exercise and new habits. Make heart health screening an annual occurrence.

On a general basis, managing the level of sugar, salt and different types of fat in our daily diets can also help. While excessive sugar and saturated fat in the diet can lead to obesity and increased bad cholesterol in the blood, excessive consumption of salt can lead to hypertension, increasing the stress on the heart which causes damage.

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It is never too early to begin taking care of your heart. As cardiologists say, preventing a heart attack boils down to minimising the risk.