India to account for 6 in 10 global heart disease cases by 2010

London, Apr 26 : India is expected to account for 60 pct of heart disease cases in world, within the next two years, warn researchers.

The team comprising Indian and Canadian researchers have suggested that improving the access to treatment can prevent the condition.

They examined around 21,000 heart attack patients admitted in 89 hospitals in 50 cities across the country.

"As the Indian economy grows, there is a possibility of further increases in ardiovascular disease before we see a decline similar to that being itnessed in developed countries," Lancet quoted US cardiologist Kim Eagle, as saying.

Though the risk factors related to heart disease including tobacco use, high levels of lipids in the blood due to diets rich in saturated fat and hypertension were the same in India as elsewhere, the access to health care was poor.

The report also said, "few patients used an ambulance to reach the hospital. Most used private or public transport" due to financial problems.

On an average it takes around 300 minutes to reach a hospital, which is double the time taken in rich nations.

Also people living in poverty restrain from routine treatments using surgical procedures as it costs them more. The study is published in the journal Lancet.

ANI