Fast food consumption has become a defining feature of modern diets. While convenient and satisfying, meals such as burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, and processed sandwiches pose serious risks to heart health even in younger people & children. The association between regular fast food intake and serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, Liver disease, & Cancers is now well-established through multiple clinical studies and epidemiological surveys.

Fast foods are often high in saturated fats and trans fats, both of which adversely affect cholesterol levels. Saturated fats increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, while trans fats not only raise LDL but also lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the ‘good’ cholesterol. This imbalance accelerates the process of atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.

In addition to unhealthy fats, many fast foods are extremely high in sodium and refined carbohydrates. Excess sodium intake promotes hypertension, a leading contributor to heart disease. Refined carbohydrates can lead to spikes in blood sugar and insulin resistance, further compounding cardiovascular risk and Metabolic disorders like Diabetes & fatty liver disease.  Frequent consumption of fast food meals, often characterised by oversized portions and high calorie density, also plays a significant role in the rising prevalence of obesity, another major risk factor for heart disease.

It is important to understand that occasional consumption of fast food within an otherwise balanced diet is unlikely to cause harm. However, habitual reliance on fast foods, especially in combination with sedentary lifestyles, amplifies the danger significantly. The engineered appeal of fast food, rich flavours, enhanced textures, and large portions can easily encourage overeating, making moderation challenging for many individuals. In India, due to a high amount of unhealthy carbohydrates & fatty foods, incidents of fatty liver disease increased exponentially, even in school-going children. It affects almost 50% of the population. Now, fatty liver disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly, apart from causing other symptoms

Protecting cardiovascular health requires thoughtful dietary choices. Prioritising fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats over processed and fast foods remains a fundamental strategy. Awareness of the hidden risks associated with frequent fast food consumption empowers individuals to make better decisions for their long-term heart health. Nothing can match a home-cooked healthy food with regular physical activity like 30 minutes of walking in preventing heart & metabolic disease like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease & sleep apnoea in the younger population.

Heart disease often progresses silently over the years. Understanding the powerful role diet plays in its development offers an opportunity for early intervention and prevention.

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MUMBAI: USV Pvt Ltd, recently launched Q-rite tablets, containing 200 milligrams (mg) of Quinidine Sulphate for patients with rare irregular heartbeat conditions.  This launch marks the much-needed commercial availability of Quinidine Sulphate tablets in India. This milestone underscores USV’s commitment to advancing quality patient care as a reliable healthcare partner.

India faces one of the highest burdens of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) globally. Approximately 40% of cardiac patients show signs of heart rhythm disorders, with a concerning 22% at increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to arrhythmia. Alarmingly, most of these patients are under the age of 40. Keeping this overlooked demographic in mind, USV took the step to commercially launch Q rite tablets in India, to improve patient outcomes.

Prashant Tewari, Managing Director, USV “We have been empathetic to the needs of patients especially individuals with cardiac conditions, and do not have an option for its management, the launch of Q rite tablets in India underscores our vision of enhancing accessibility. Our commitment to niche medication will offer targeted solutions that significantly improve patient outcomes.”

Elaborating on the importance of the launch, Dr. Aditya Kapoor, President of the Indian Society of Electrocardiology (ISE), and Dr. Ketan Mehta, Honorary General-Secretary (ISE) mentioned in a joint statement that “Quinidine being an old yet versatile multipurpose antiarrhythmic drug, its availability in India shall adequately address the need of a select group of patient population.”

Q rite tablets is currently available at pharmacies in select hospitals and through online pharmaceutical retailer Tata 1mg.

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PUNE: Over the last two years, Sahyadri Hospitals in Pune have observed a troubling trend: an increase in cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with long-haul international travel. Recently, a 42-year-old patient was diagnosed with PE after presenting symptoms of chest discomfort and breathlessness, exacerbated by a history of recent international flights.

Dr. Kaurabhi Zade, Interventional Radiologist at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, emphasized the heightened risks associated with prolonged immobility during flights. “Flights longer than four hours can triple the risk of blood clotting, primarily due to cramped seating, dehydration, and lower cabin oxygen levels,” Dr. Zade explained. This insight comes after the successful treatment of 17 cases of PE through mechanical thrombectomy at the hospital—a procedure chosen for its efficacy when traditional clot-dissolving medications are unsuitable.

One of the recent research further underscores these observations. A study titled “Travel-Associated Venous Thromboembolism” highlights a mild to moderate association between VTE and the length of travel, with the risk increasing by 26% for every additional 2 hours of air travel starting after 4 hours. The study also noted the effectiveness of low-risk prophylactic measures like graduated compression stockings in preventing VTE, particularly during flights.

The patients, ranging from 21 to 72 years old, displayed varied health backgrounds, indicating that younger populations are increasingly at risk. “Pulmonary embolism is a high mortality condition, ranking as the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. Immediate treatment is crucial,” Dr. Zade added.

Dr. Kapil Borawake, the leader of the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, highlighted preventive measures, especially with the holiday season in full swing. “As people increasingly embark on long air travels, it’s crucial to be mindful of dos and don’ts to prevent health risks such as pulmonary embolism. Simple actions like taking brisk walks every half-hour, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol, which can further dehydrate you, are essential,” Dr. Borawake advised.

Mechanical thrombectomy involves physically removing blood clots from the patient’s arteries, an approach that was necessary when clot burdens were high or when initial medical treatments failed. Despite the procedure’s challenges, such as managing complications from massive clots, the long-term outcomes have been promising, with significant survival benefits.

The public should be aware of the risks posed by extended periods of travel. This ongoing issue of travel-associated PE stresses the importance of vigilance and prompt medical intervention, reinforcing Sahyadri Hospitals’ commitment to leading-edge cardiovascular care.

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