The Saffolalife Study 2013, a not-for-profit initiative started by Marico India’s is largest assessment on risk factors precipitating heart disease, found that more than 70 per cent of 1.86 lakh urban Indians are at cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

When the study was conducted among 19,897 Bangalore respondents over a period of three years, it was found that a substantial 72 per cent of them had a high risk of contracting cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although 28 per cent of Bangalore participants indulged in physical activity four times a week or more, higher in comparison to the other 12 cities, they were still at high CVD risk. It was found that 49 per cent respondents from Bangalore were obese and another 48 per cent reported low levels of the heart protective HDL.

Supporting the Saffolalife study, Dr S S Ramesh, senior cardiologist and director, Vivus Heart Care Foundation, said, “Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk. This has affected the heart health of the young work force in the 30 – 44 age group.”

The study also revealed that 43 per cent respondents consumed preserved/processed foods and 36 per cent at least two times a week . Additionally, 71 per cent of them were guilty of consuming two or less servings of fibre rich whole grains in their diet. Six per cent of the participants from Bangalore reported feeling drained four times or more in a week.

The Saffolalife study is being conducted for the past three years across 12 cities and covering more than 1.86 lakhs people across 30-100 age group. The study revealed a shocking large difference between the heart age and the chronological age beginning at 30 years with a noticeable peak observed in the 40’s. This meant that Young India’s heart is aging much faster. Due to the presence of maximum systemic and lifestyle risk factors, respondents in the 30–44 age group showed heightened CVD risk.

Supporting the findings, Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, chief dietician, Apollo Hospital, stated, “Diet has undergone major changes depending on convenience. Preference for processed and preserved foods and fried foods has gone up noticeably. High dependence on the same and a menu devoid of vegetables, fruits and whole grains will only make people more vulnerable to CVD.”