Patna: There has been an exponential increase in incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the country in the past few years, so much so that it is reaching epidemic proportions.

About 50 per cent of people in the country die because of it. The risk factors are well-known - poor dietary habits, consuming foods rich in trans-fats, sedentary lifestyle, stress, unhealthy habits such as smoking and family history of diabetes, which leads to a genetic predisposition. Dr Mukesh Goel, senior consultant of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery from Delhi-based Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said this during an awareness programme organised by the hospital in Patna on Thursday.

"Good eating habits should be inculcated with inclusion of more fresh vegetables and fruits, fibre-rich multi grains, low quantity of fat and salt in the diet," Goel said. "At least half an hour of brisk physical activity daily is highly recommended. Total avoidance of smoking, low to moderate intake of alcohol, and meditation and yoga for reducing stress are some of the measures we can adopt to keep cardiovascular diseases in check. Diabetes should be treated if present."

Shedding light on rising number of cancer cases, senior consultant of surgical oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Dr V.P. Singh, said: "Common cancers in men in Bihar include head, neck and lung cancers, which are directly related to use of tobacco products. Common cancers in women are breast and uterine cervix. Peculiar high incidence of cancer of the gall bladder in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is attributed to pollutants in drinking water. Increased use of pesticides in upper reaches of the river may be behi-nd high incidence of this disease downstream," Singh said.

An open house was organised in the end, where doctors addressed various public queries and debunked myths related to various diseases.