Young working professionals increasingly at risk of cardiovascular disease, report finds

An analysis of health check-up data of over 30,000 employees across 20 corporates found that employees between that ages of 35 and 25 are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a report.

The report, brought out by ekincare, an AI-powered digital health platform, found that employees aged 35–45 years showed a sharp increase of nearly 70%, over three years, when it came to risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and elevated BMI. It also found that employees in the 45–55 year age group continued to record the highest prevalence of diagnosed heart conditions, showing how untreated risks in younger years translate into disease later.

Lifestyle factors that could potentially be contributing to risk factors included: 65% of employees logging less than 30 minutes of daily physical activity. High stress levels and digital overload were linked to a 40% increase in heart disease cases among professionals in major metros over the past three years. Irregular meals and processed foods were exacerbating cholesterol and triglyceride issues, already seen in 38% of employees in their 30s.

The report also found that when companies sponsored annual check-ups, participation rates rose to 50–55%, compared to far lower voluntary uptake, highlighting a need for more companies to invest in their employees’ wellness for better health outcomes and better business.