World Heart Day: 6 in 10 Indians have abnormal levels of bad cholesterol, study reveals Vadodara has lowest heart disease risk, Bengaluru highest

It is a well-known fact that diet and cholesterol play a significant role in heart health. There have been numerous studies that have revealed the complexity of the connection between cholesterol and heart health.

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream on proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) aka bad cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) aka good cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

In a recent survey by health-tech firm, Healthians, it was found that six in 10 Indians have abnormal levels of bad cholesterol. Individuals between 31 and 40 years of age have been reported with the highest prevalence of bad cholesterol.


Bad Cholesterol Alert!
Healthians used data from blood tests conducted on 2.66 million people above 20 years of age across 250 cities in India. The study found out that as many as 63 per cent have high LDL cholesterol in their blood.

The health-tech firm has claimed that this is so far the largest data analysis in India conducted on parameters of heart health. High levels of LDL are an outcome of the consumption of junk food and a poor diet. It also co-exists with issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.

According to Deepak Sahni, founder & CEO of Healthians, a comprehensive study of this scale can be beneficial in throwing light on one of the most pressing health concerns of today. “Analysing such data can be of huge help to not just regular people, but also to healthcare professionals and policymakers to better design solutions and initiatives that can improve India’s heart health,” added Sahni.

Late 30s and Early 40s At Risk
According to the study, 69 per cent in the age group of 31-40 years had abnormal levels of LDL. Dr Sonal, Head of Lab Operations at Healthians feels that this could be an indication of the high-stress levels experienced by individuals in this group.

Three out of 10 Indians reported abnormal levels of cholesterol in their bloodstream and the highest prevalence was spotted in those belonging to the 31-40 age group. It also found that 36 per cent of Indians in the 40-60 age group reported abnormal levels of cholesterol. Similarly, 30 per cent in the 60-70 age group, and 24 per cent in the 70-80 age group reported abnormal levels of cholesterol.

Vadodara Scores High
When it came to cholesterol-related parameters, 36 per cent of Indians had abnormal levels of HDL cholesterol which are also known as good cholesterol, 39 per cent had abnormal levels of triglycerides and 30 per cent reported abnormal total cholesterol levels.

The health-tech firm also gave scores out of 10 for cities where it conducted the survey. The higher scores indicated a lower risk of heart disease. Vadodara in Gujarat got the highest score at 7. It was followed by Ludhiana and Jalandhar at 6.8. Cities such as Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Panipat, Panchkula, Chandigarh, and Patiala made it to the top spot. Punjab had five cities in the top five.

Meanwhile, Mysuru and Bengaluru in Karnataka scored the lowest at 4.8 out of 10 due to the high prevalence of abnormal LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in its populace. According to the study, Bengaluru scored 4.9. The study has attributed poor diet, high alcohol intake and sedentary lifestyle in the state as the potential cause.

Men More At Risk
When it came to gender, men reported a high prevalence of abnormal levels of LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol. As many as 64% of the males tested had abnormal LDL, 47% had abnormal triglycerides, and 32% had abnormal total cholesterol compared to 63%, 30% and 29% in females, respectively. However, more females had abnormal HDL levels compared to males.

The survey also underscores the significance of timely check-ups as they can greatly reduce the impact of heart conditions. Now that you have understood how good cholesterol and bad cholesterol impact your heart, perhaps it's time to schedule an appointment with your GP.