Reasons for this Indian incongruence are uncertain, but scientists do believe that genetically our genes had probably over the years become programmed to be energy miser and thrifty so as to enhance metabolic efficiency and fat storage. Known as "thrifty gene hypothesis" this assumption attempts to explain our evolutionary development as a possible reason. Indians for a long time during the prehistoric times were subjected to extended periods of famine and starvations. These modified thrifty genes helped the body overcome the fasting times by using stored food deposited during feasting times, same as camel uses energy in his hump to cross the desert. But with modern times when food is always and easily available, thrifty genes are still operational and poor Indians are still storing fats around their waist for probable, prospective never-to-occur famine.

Another school of thought blames low foetal birth weight as possible mechanism for unusually high incidence of heart disease. The followers of this supposition believe that seeds of unhealthiness are sowed in the mother's womb itself leading to development heart disease in adulthood.

LIVING WITH FLAWED GENES

It is difficult to cope with preordained future, but the least we could do is to look after modifiable risk factors. Abstaining from smoking and alcohol, exercising regularly, looking after our blood pressure and diabetes, visiting our cardiologist periodically, eating sensibly, avoiding excess calories and avoid becoming overweight are some of the wiles to overcome this peril.

The writer is an interventional senior consultant cardiologist working at Fortis hospital, Mohali