A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) looked at what increases the risk of heart disease among adults in India, especially focusing on unemployment and high blood sugar levels. The study involved nearly 4,500 adults aged 40-69 and provided important information about who is more likely to develop heart disease.

Study Overview:

The ICMR study used surveys and questionnaires from the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate how physically active people are and to estimate their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) over the next ten years. The participants were grouped into different risk categories:

• Very Low to Low Risk: Less than a 10% chance of developing heart disease.
• Moderate Risk: A 10-20% chance.
• High to Very High Risk: Over a 20% chance.

About 85% of the participants were in the very low-to-low-risk category. Meanwhile, 14.5% were at moderate risk, and 1% were at high to very high risk.

Demographic Insights:

The study found some key differences between men and women:

• Men were twice as likely as women to have more than a 10% chance of developing heart disease.
• High blood sugar significantly increased the risk of heart disease. Women with high blood sugar were 85% more likely to be at risk, while men with high blood sugar had a 77% higher risk.
• Obesity was also a major factor. Obese women had a 71% higher risk of heart disease, and obese men had a 55% higher risk.

Urban vs. Rural Risks:

The study showed that people living in cities were more at risk of heart disease than those in rural areas. About 17.5% of urban participants were at risk, compared to 13.8% in rural areas. Urban women, in particular, had an 86% higher chance of being at risk compared to rural women.

Impact of Employment Status:

The study found that unemployed people were much more at risk of heart disease. Only 54% of unemployed participants had a low risk of CVD, compared to 87-88% of employed people and homemakers.

This study is important because it provides a nationwide view of heart disease risk in India, addressing gaps left by earlier studies that were more focused on specific areas. It highlights key factors that affect heart health, such as lifestyle and employment status, offering valuable insights for improving public health strategies in India.