The Indian economy is all set to have a heart attack with the depleting cardiovascular health of the nation. The number of heart related deaths is on a high.

According to the Earth Institute report prepared jointly by Aiims, Colombia University of New York, Brazil, South Africa and Russia suggest that heart diseases will take a toll on the skilled workforce in the age group of 35 to 64 years, leading to a sinking economy. 

India leads in this loss of trained work force due to heart disease related deaths. 

Currently, India faces a loss of 9.2 million productive years. This will climb up to 17.9 million productive years in 2030. While our neighbour China will remain healthy with only 10.2 million productive years of life loss in 2030. 

"The growth targets set by our government cannot be met if we do not reduce occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Loss of trained workforce translates into loss of money. Also more funds will have to be allocated for medical care than development." said Dr K Srinath Reddy, head of the department of cardiology at Aiims.

More than 50 per cent of the Indian workforce has at least one risk factor. 

Even the capital is not healthy. At least 10 per cent of people above the age of 35 in Delhi are susceptible to heart diseases.

The hospital also conducted a study on a factory at Ghaziabad, taking workers in the age group of 35 to 45 as a sample. The results show that at least 50 per cent of the workforce had abnormal cholesterol and over thirty per cent had hypertension.

The study found out that as the population moves from rural to urban areas the occurrence of heart diseases is also on an increase with only two per cent of rural population having diabetes as compared to 16 per cent of urban population.

"The prevention of heart diseases is simple, it is just a matter of will, both on the part of the government as well as the consumers," said Dr Reddy.

"On one hand the industry should be forced to produce healthy food and the government should ensure that the people get cheap fruits and vegetables," he added.

Simple methods like exercising daily for 35-45 minutes can reduce the risk by at least half. On the other hand, three hours of sedentary work can be suicidal for your heart.