High-sugar diet increases risk of heart disease in healthy people

High-sugar diet increases risk of heart disease in healthy people

Dr KK Aggarwal

A study from the UK has shown that healthy people who eat high amounts of sugar are at an increased risk of developing heart disease due to alteration in their fat metabolism.

The study reported October 4, 2017 in the journal Clinical Science examined two groups of men with either high or low levels of liver fat, and fed them a high (650 calories daily) or low sugar (≤140 calories daily) diet to find out if the amount of liver fat influences the impact of sugar on their cardiovascular health.

Men who had high levels of liver fat (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]) had changes in their fat metabolism that are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes after 12 weeks on the high sugar diet.

What is important to note in this study is that when the group of healthy men with a low level of liver fat consumed high amounts of sugar, their liver fat increased and their fat metabolism became similar to that of men with NAFLD putting them at risk of heart disease.

With the festive season coming up, we all should take care to not eat too many sweets. Diwali sweets have very high content of white sugar and cause metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and consequent increase in blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight. Some sweets may be made in trans fats (vanaspati), which lower the good cholesterol and increase bad cholesterol.

The findings of the study are especially relevant for the young who regularly consume foods and drinks high in added sugars. Lifestyle disorders like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, NAFLD are escalating in our country mainly due to an unhealthy lifestyle. What is of more concern is that these diseases are now affecting people at a younger age.

(Source: University of Surrey Press Release, October 4, 2017)

Women smokers can lower their risk of heart disease by quitting the habit

Women smokers can lower their risk of heart disease by quitting the habit Lifestyle changes and strong resolve to quit are key New Delhi, 23 August 2017: As per WHO estimates, 3 million people in industrialized countries will have died due to tobacco use by 2030, and an additional 7 million people in developing countries will meet the same fate. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death. Not only does tobacco smoke cause lung cancer, it is also implicated in heart disease, other cancers and respiratory diseases. As per the IMA, women who quit smoking have a 21% lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease within five years of quitting their last cigarette. Women who are current smokers have almost triple their risk of overall death compared with non-smoker women. Current smokers also have a 63% percent increased risk for colon cancer compared with never-smokers, while former smokers have a 23% increased risk. The risks of dying from other conditions also decline after quitting, although the time frame varies depending on the disease. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "It’s never too early to stop, and it’s never too late to stop. Women who started smoking earlier in life are at a higher risk for overall mortality, of dying from respiratory disease and from any smoking–related disease. However, a smoker’s overall risk of dying returns to the level of a never-smoker 20 years after quitting. Women metabolize nicotine more quickly than men and cigarette smoke appears to be more toxic for women. Women's coronary arteries are typically smaller than men's. Smaller blood clots can block the vessels and trigger a heart attack.” Most of the excess risk of dying from coronary heart disease vanishes within five years of quitting. For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the return to normal takes 20 years, although there is an 18% reduction in the risk of death is seen within 5 to 10 years after quitting. And the risk for lung cancer does not return to normal for 30 years after quitting, although there is a 21% reduction in risk within the first five years. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Nicotine replacement therapies may not be as effective in women as in men. This is because their menstrual cycle affects tobacco withdrawal symptoms and the results of anti smoking medications can be inconsistent. However, women should not wait until the development of a heart disease to quit this habit. Making certain lifestyle changes along with quitting smoking can help them lead a longer and healthier life.” The following tips can help quit the smoking habit. • Identify the trigger situation, which makes you smoke. Have a plan in place to avoid these or get through them alternatively. • Chew on sugarless gum or hard candy, or munch raw carrots, celery, nuts or sunflower seeds instead of tobacco. • Get physically active. Short bursts of physical activity such as running up and down the stairs a few times can make a tobacco craving go away. • Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. • Keep yourself busy.

Women more at risk of heart disease today

Women more at risk of heart disease today

Heart disease is no longer exclusive to men as we now know. Women, especially urban women, are more at risk of developing heart disease today. And, a heart attack is usually more severe in women than in men.

An increasingly unhealthy lifestyle with a predominantly high trans fat, sugar and salt diet, more and more sitting, stress/depression, smoking, alcohol and cigarettes are some of the factors that have contributed to this rise in heart disease. Differences in the clinical presentation also make it difficult to establish a diagnosis in women.

·         Women generally present a decade later than men and with greater risk factor burden. They are less likely than men to have typical angina. Women with new onset of chest pain are approached and diagnosed less aggressively than man in the emergency department.

·         Established risk factors in women are: Presence of history of heart blockages; age over 55 years; high LDL (bad) or low HDL (good) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease or family history of heart disease.

·         Risk factors, which are more potent in women than in men are: Smoking is associated with 50% of all coronary events in women; diabetes confers more prognostic information in women than in men.

·         Symptoms of heart attack in women differ from those in men. Women may not know recognize these symptoms as due to a heart attack. Rather than the classical presentation of chest pain, women are more likely to have extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, lightheadedness, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breathwith or without chest discomfort, indigestion, pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

·         Treadmill test in women has a higher false positive rate.

·         Small vessel disease is more common in women than in men.

Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and disability in urban women

Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and disability in urban women New Delhi, September 24, 2016: In India, urban women are more at risk of heart disease today than they were three years ago. The reasons for this include an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by a predominantly high trans fat, sugar and salt diet, inadequate physical exercise, increased stress levels, dependence on addictive and extremely harmful substances like alcohol and cigarettes amongst others. The largest group of women at risk of CVD are aged 35-44. CVD risk is as high amongst housewives as it is amongst working professionals. As far as risk factors for CVD are concerned, low HDL and high BMI are the two most common contributors to CVD risk setting in as early as 35 years for women. “Important differences between women and men in the presentation of heart disease make it more difficult to establish a diagnosis in women. For instance heart disease in women generally presents 10 years later than men and with greater risk factor burden. Women are also less likely than men to have typical angina and have a higher false positive rate in the tredmill test. The symptops women face are also different than those faced by men”, said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President HCFI & President Elect IMA. It is a fact that women are more likely to present initially with chest pain than a more clearly defined event such as heart attack. Many cases of heart attack in women also go unrecognized. In addition to this small vessel disease is more common in women than in men. The established risk factors of heart disease in women include the presence of history of heart blockages; age over 55 years; high LDL (bad cholestol) or low HDL (good cholestrol) , diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease or family history of heart disease. Risk factors, which are more potent in women than in men include regular consumption of tabocco which causes 50% of all coronary events in women; obesity and diabetes. Following are the ways in which women can prevent future heart disease Moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes and for 60 to 90 minutes for weight management on most days of the week Avoidance and cessation of cigarette smoking and passive smoking Keep waist circumference less than 35 inches Consume a heart-friendly diet Presence of high triglyceride levels. One should add Omega 3 fatty acids to diet. Control cholesterol level, high blood pressure and diabetes Women who smoke should avoid oral contraceptive pills. Aspirin 80 mg in more than 65 years of age should be added Treat underlying depression.