Researchers have found that coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians below 30 years is mainly due to inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetable salads and foods rich in folate and Vitamin B12 rather than mutations in certain in certain genes. When patients' genetic makeup was studied to find out whether any mutation in genes was responsible for CAD, only a few showed such mutation. A majority of the young heart patients who were part of the study had no genetic mutations. The researchers said that they had got coronary artery disease possibly because of low intake of B12 and folate-rich foods, particularly vegetables and fruits. The team comprised doctors from the Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Apollo Hospital and Gandhi Hospital. Coronary artery disease is linked to high levels of an amino acid (homocysteine) and this is linked to mutations in genes known as MTHFR and MS. But in the 100 young patients examined, only a handful had the mutation, while a majority of them had low levels of B12 and folate. The quantum of homocysteine also goes up if dietary intake of B12 and folate is insufficient. Smoking, intake of tobacco products and lack of physical exercise added to the problem. "Though high levels of homocysteine have been widely linked to the early onset of heart diseases, in case of Indians it is due to poor diet", senior cardiologist Dr. B.K.S. Sastry of Care Hospital said, adding that it is diet and lifestyle that are more important than genetic factors.
Early tests can spot cardiac risks: Experts say that genetic testing at an early age can help determine personal risk ailments for cardiac problems and people are coming forward for such blood tests. But fewer labs, absence of test facility in most hospitals are impediments and more research is required in this area, say doctors. Dr. Sunil Kapoor, semior consultant cardiologist, Care Hospitals, said, "If the patient has a heart ailment, the child is five times more likely to develop cardiac problems and that too at an age, which is 10 years earlier than the age when his father has got it. Through a blood test and chromosomal analysis carried out between 12-15 years, cholesterol abnormalities can be identified and treatment can be started along with a diet management programme". Dr. Nitin Kabra, professor and head of the department of cardiology at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital said, "Due to the multi-factorial origin of many heart diseases, a single genetic test may not be adequate for all heart diseases and the high cost and technology involved makes it difficult to implement it in government settings".
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Challapalli Srinivas Chakravarthy
H. No. 12-13-301, St. No. 9,
Lane. No. 1, Flat. No. 203,
Satya Classic Apartments,
Tarnaka, Secunderabad-500 017
e-mail id: chakku1968@gmail.com
cc99995@gmail.com
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Early tests can spot cardiac risks: Experts say that genetic testing at an early age can help determine personal risk ailments for cardiac problems and people are coming forward for such blood tests. But fewer labs, absence of test facility in most hospitals are impediments and more research is required in this area, say doctors. Dr. Sunil Kapoor, semior consultant cardiologist, Care Hospitals, said, "If the patient has a heart ailment, the child is five times more likely to develop cardiac problems and that too at an age, which is 10 years earlier than the age when his father has got it. Through a blood test and chromosomal analysis carried out between 12-15 years, cholesterol abnormalities can be identified and treatment can be started along with a diet management programme". Dr. Nitin Kabra, professor and head of the department of cardiology at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital said, "Due to the multi-factorial origin of many heart diseases, a single genetic test may not be adequate for all heart diseases and the high cost and technology involved makes it difficult to implement it in government settings".
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Challapalli Srinivas Chakravarthy
H. No. 12-13-301, St. No. 9,
Lane. No. 1, Flat. No. 203,
Satya Classic Apartments,
Tarnaka, Secunderabad-500 017
e-mail id: chakku1968@gmail.com
cc99995@gmail.com
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