Share of people with cholesterol and heart problems India 2020, by gender

As per the results of a large-scale survey conducted across India, over 14 percent of male respondents suffered from cholesterol problems in 2020. Almost ten percent of female respondents had cholesterol problems while only three percent of females reported to have heart problems.

Cholesterol 

Cholesterol is a lipid or fat that is produced by the liver and other cells that regulate normal function within the body. Some of the foods that contain cholesterol include, but are not limited to, dairy products, eggs, and meat. While the body needs some cholesterol to function optimally, increased amounts of cholesterol can result in problems related to heart. Some of the main causes that lead to cardiovascular disease are also linked to high blood pressure or hypertension.

 Risk factors and prevention

Some of the risk factors that correlate with high cholesterol and heart disease can be attributed to behavioral lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Being overweight or obese along with unhealthy food habits can also contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. Furthermore, high blood pressure, smoking tobacco, diabetes, ageing demographics and genetic predisposition are some common risk factors. Also, women are known to have lower cholesterol levels before menopause when compared with men within the same age group.