Indians more prone to diabetes, premature cardiac complications : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Indians more prone to diabetes, premature cardiac complications

ROHTAK: India has around 62.4 million people with diabetes, and the number is set to surpass 100 million by 2030, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Indians more prone to diabetes, premature cardiac complications


Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 13

India has around 62.4 million people with diabetes, and the number is set to surpass 100 million by 2030, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The majority of people with diabetes (more than 90 per cent) have Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which predominantly affects elderly persons in developed countries and the younger population in the prime of their working lives in developing nations such as India.

“The so-called ‘Asian-Indian Phenotype’ refers to certain unique clinical and biochemical abnormalities in Indians. It makes Asian Indians more prone to diabetes and premature coronary artery disease (CAD),” Dr Sameer Aggarwal, a former professor of endocrinology at the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, told The Tribune here on Wednesday.

He said complications associated with diabetes never showed symptoms initially. “But with regular check-up, right treatment and lifestyle changes, diabetes can be prevented or its risk minimised.”

“For instance, patients with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack and are more prone to cardiovascular diseases. To reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, patients must quit smoking, should exercise regularly, and minimise the intake of greasy and oily food for diet plays an important role in the well being of a man. Patients must monitor their blood sugar and blood pressure regularly, as recommended by doctors,” Dr Aggarwal said.

The doctor further said patients with diabetes often had high blood pressure, which put more strain on the cardiovascular system and increased the risk of eye and kidney complications.

ABC of diabetes

  • Those living with diabetes can reduce the risk of complications by focusing on the ABC formula
  • A for A1C: The A1C blood test indicates the average blood sugar level in the past few months; it should ideally be less than 7%
  • B for blood pressure: Blood pressure in most cases should be less than 130/80
  • C for cholesterol: Ideally, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dl

Top News

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

Umar Ansari alleged that his father was subjected to slow po...

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Ansari's post-mortem to be conducted in UP by panel of five ...

PM Modi in conversation with Bill Gates, says India has democratised technology, aims to end digital divide

PM Modi, in conversation with Bill Gates, says India has democratised technology, aims to end digital divide

Says tech can play big role in agriculture, education, healt...

10 killed as SUV falls into gorge in J-K’s Ramban

10 people killed after SUV falls into gorge in J-K’s Ramban

The vehicle, a Tavera, was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu


Cities

View All