According to the figures released by the Delhi Government’s Economic Survey, heart disease is the single biggest killer in the National Capital, followed by diabetes. According to the survey, released on Friday, heart attacks kill approximately 15,442 people in 2007. In comparison, diabetes kills 3,920 people.

Cancer, though perceived as deadlier, is a distant fourth, killing 2,516 people. A little ahead of cancer, tuberculosis killed 2,597.

This is definitely a shift in the trend — respiratory diseases caused the most deaths in 2006, as many as 9,164.

It no longer figures in the list, indicating that the switch to CNG and other efforts of the Delhi government to check air pollution seems to have paid off.

The survey also shows that the Capital is a study in contrast: over 600 people died of anaemia, while uncontrolled eating contributes to the death of others.

Doctors confirm that Delhi is not eating right, which is the biggest reason why it is succumbing to heart ailments. “Ready to eat food at cheap rates is delivered at your doorstep. So people generally prefer to order in rather than cook,” said cardiologist Dr Amit Banerjee, who is also the Medical Superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital.

What makes matters worse is that Indians are genetically predisposed towards heart ailments, said Dr Ravi Kasliwal, cardiac surgeon, Apollo Hospitals. Which is also why, India is the world capital for heart diseases.

But the more alarming trend is that the disease is striking more and more young people. According to doctors, a decade ago, heart patients in the 25 to 35 age group constituted 10 per cent of the total figure. Now, they comprise about 40 per cent. And death due to heart attack is increasing in the late twenties age-group. “I have had patients who are 27 or 28 but have suffered massive heart attacks,” Pasiwal said.

“It is known that heart disease is the biggest killer in urban areas,” said Dr Srinath Reddy, eminent cardiologist and president of the Public Health Foundation of India. “Also, heart ailments and diabetes are interrelated and diabetes, in fact, is one of factors that lead to heart attacks,” he said.

“In several cases, the cause of death is debatable when the patient has both diabetes and a heart problem,” said Dr Banerjee.

Regular health checks up are extremely essential, say doctors. Men should get their first health check up done at age 20 and women at 25. And the government, they maintain, should do its bit to spread awareness about this.

A few years ago, the New York government banned artificial trans fats in 20,000 restaurants. “We have to seriously consider taking concrete steps towards educating Delhi,” said Health Minister Kiran Walia.