Genetic Mutation causing Heart Attacks in Asian Indians?

This week's issue of the Nature Genetics journal states that at least 4% of Asian Indians carry a Genetic Mutation that virtually guarantees a heart attack in their later lives. It also states that one percent of the world's population is at risk due to the existence of this gene.

Other scary facts stated by the journal, Nature Genetics, are that:

• This mutation is only present in people from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia
  
• Asian Indians from the South and West are more prone to having this mutated gene than those from Northern India.

So it's not just the lack of exercise and eating habits that include sweets, ghee, and fried foods that can be blamed for the high occurrence of heart disease in Indians! Some of us can finally blame "the genes" and get away with it.

But do we want to just blame the genes? Or should we improve our lifestyle and eating habits?

As we get older, genetics or not, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management are the key to a healthy life. The genetic mutation notwithstanding, make 2009 your best year ever by implementing some small changes in your lifestyle so that you can live a healthy lifestyle.

If you are wondering about me, I'm a good eater and I workout regularly. What I don't do too much of is manage stress. So my 2009 resolution is to manage my stress better by taking yoga and meditation classes. Hope you'll take small steps to improve the quality of your life too!