SURAT: Gorging on greasy khajas or butter locha heaped with cheese is choking the arteries of food-loving Surtis.
Abusing the famed ‘Surat Nu Jaman’ coupled with poor lifestyle has resulted in worrisome lipid profile reports of citizens, who are at a big risk of
heart diseases. A medical study of 2.93 lakh samples taken for lipid profile has revealed that four out of 10 Surtis have high or borderline cholesterol levels or
triglyceride.
The analysis carried out for lipid profile in the age group of 20-80 years revealed that only around 10% people had ideal levels of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol that help clean arteries).
“The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases have been steadily rising in Surat. The major factors attributed to this are poor lifestyle, lack of exercise, consumption of non-nutritious food, increased stress levels, smoking, alcohol and abuse of tobacco,” said Dr Nilesh Shah of Metropolis Healthcare which carried out the study.
In fact, more women than men had borderline cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol than men.
Dr Shah added, “As there are no visible symptoms of poor lipid profile, a thorough check-up is of utmost importance. Prolonged working hours, hectic commute and growing incidence of obesity along with sedentary lifestyle are also one of the reasons for city residents to be more prone to heart ailments.”
Dr Ramesh Surati, a city-based physician, told TOI: “We usually get many patients with complaints ranging from severe acidity and lethargy. In most cases, the lipid profile is suggested and the results are always on the negative side.”
Dr Surati added, “This is all because of inborn habit of abusing oily and sweet food.”
