06 March,2009 07:54 AM IST | | Savie Karnel
Men and women are equals when it comes to heart ailments.
According to SaffolaLife State of the Heart Study, there are almost as many women (37 per cent) as there are men (39.1 per cent) who suffer from high cholesterol levels in the country.
In Bangalore, one out of five women is prone to heart attacks, with those between 30 and 49 years in the high-risk category.
Women in Mumbai are worse off than those in Delhi and Bangalore, with close to 39.5 per cent showing cholesterol levels that are higher than the recommended level.
The study also states that after crossing 50, women are at higher risk than men. In fact, one out of every 2 women over 50 has been detected with high levels of bad cholesterol.
Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, says factors such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are the reasons for increased heart ailments in women. But minor changes in one's routine could help control it, he says.
"There has been a radical shift from men to now women having high cholesterol levels. It's time to raise an alarm," said Dr Joshi.
