Sounding a note of caution, renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan today said India was "quickly" becoming the epicentre of heart diseases due to a combination of factors including unhealthy lifestyle and stress.
On World Heart Day, the noted surgeon said here that lack of physical exercise was also one of the contributing factors.
"An estimated six crore Indians are suffering from heart diseases. We consume more food than necessary which is high in calories and engage in less physical activity.
"India is quickly becoming a heart disease epicentre due to a mix of genetic predispositions, diet and lifestyle factors. We are addicted to sugar and are afflicted with stress," Trehan said.
He was addressing a gathering at Medanta Medicity Hospital here.
"It is time for us to take a step towards a generation free of heart diseases. This World Heart Day let us work together against the spread of this preventable epidemic," Trehan said.
The hospital had organised a special event on the occasion of World Heart Day. Medanta also organised a free health check up camp on the sidelines of the event which was attended by over 500 people.
