'Know Your Risk', Prevent Heart Disease

India is clearly lagging behind in the prevention of heart diseases as the World Health Organization has predicted that heart diseases in the country will increase by 100% by 2015. This is the essential message on the World Heart Day, whose theme is "Know your risk."

According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure.

The major causes of heart disease are tobacco use, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet.

Smoking continues to be one of the prime lifestyle choices contributing to the increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases globally. In fact many studies have shown quitting smoking may significantly reduce heart disease risk.

The WHO further says that 17.5 million people died from heart causes the world over in 2005. Alarmingly this figure represents 30% of all deaths across the globe. If the current situation continues unabated some 20 million people may succumb to heart disease by 2015.

Here are some tips to protect your heart and know your risk factors:

* Diabetes is a major complicating factor that leads to high blood pressure and heart disease. India is the haven of diabetes given the major lifestyle chances in the recent past. Diabetic individuals need to know they are at risk and take steps to prevent the development of heart complications.

* Obesity is another compounding factor leading to heart disease. Sedentary lifestyle practices are the leading cause of obesity and overweight. Eat a healthy, but balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain recommended weight.

* Consume at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

* Limit salt intake. This is the single most important factor to prevent heart disease. Reducing salt consumption also accounts for a 20 percent reduction in the risk of dying from heart disease,

* Cardiovascular risk of women is high particularly after menopause. Such women need to take extra care to modify lifestyle factors and prevent heart disease.

* Remember heart attacks and strokes are major - BUT preventable - killers worldwide.

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