Syndrome X
Studies show that Indians are genetically predisposed to physiological symptoms collectively called Syndrome X. This makes them highly susceptible to heart disease. Fortunately, technology can help detect coronary artery disease at an early stage.

Peace By Piece
Having failed to make headway with the cease-fire, the Centre is now trying to talk peace on Kashmir, internally through its negotiator K.C. Pant and externally with Pakistan's Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. But will anything come out of this?

Good Monsoon
So What?
The traditional link between the monsoon and the economy weakens.

Slippery Deal
The ONGC subsidiary's whopping Rs 8,136 crore investment was signed in indecent haste.

COVER STORY: HEART ATTACKS

HEART ATTACKS: WHY SYNDROME X IS THE PRIME SUSPECT

Heart of the Matter

The heart pumps fresh blood to all parts of the body. Muscles derive energy from oxygen dissolved in blood flowing through the coronary arteries. Keeping the main highway free from obstacles for transportation of blood is a daily war.

The Good

Cholesterol, waxy substances made by the liver, essentially maintain cell walls and work as a double-edged sword. Good cholesterol or High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol keep the arteries clear by mopping up the junk deposited by its bad cousins. They usually fight a losing battle.

The Bad

This is a cholesterol called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). The body's worst litterbugs, LDL drops junk on the arterial wayside. These cling to the walls of blood vessels and apart from damaging cell linings, gather other substances to form plaque, a hard, thick, substance that narrows the arteries considerably.

The Ugly

This one is a malevolent customer obtained from foods like butter. Called Triglyceride (TG), it actually performs a good role, providing instant energy. Excess TG, however, tends to get stored as body fat in the blood and assists LDL in its destructive ways. Indians are genetically inclined to high levels of LDL and TG.

The Terrible

The nastiest is a cousin of LDL called Lipoprotein LP (A) that thickens blood flow. It is 10 times more potent than LDL. The problem is that genetically, Indians have one of the highest levels of LP (A), which, combined with high LDL and TG levels results in the deadly Syndrome X.

Syndrome X is a condition that predisposes Indians to a whole repertoire of bio-chemical bullets blasting the heart, putting them in the high-risk category.

MetroScape

Delhi Beauty Treatment: American Laser Centre

Delhi Cinema: Women

Delhi Coffee Bar: Qwiky's