A recent study has revealed that many Mumbaikars are prone to silent cardiac arrests.

The Association of Hospitals (AOH) conducted the study in about 2000 people, who were put through a series of cardiac tests.

The AOH report, however, said that most of the cardiac problems could be prevented by a slight adjustment in lifestyle.

The study revealed that about 16 per cent of the city's population had Ischemic heart disease. Ischemic heart disease is a cardiac condition in which the blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle gets restricted.

Cardiac Ischemia is one of the major causes for heart attacks in cardiac patients and a version of Ischemia known as silent Ischemia causes heart attack without normal symptoms of pain or perspiration and is among the most dangerous form of the disease, said Dr P M Bhujang, chairman of the AOH.

Other ailments found in the population in the study include congenital and volvular diseases, while blood pressure (hypertension) alone constituted about 17 per cent.

"Most of the people do not recognise hypertension as a disease or never get to know about the existing conditions like silent Ischemia," Bhujang said. "This usually puts the disease low on their priority and the problem compounds manifold by the time control-action."

If one was already diagnosed with heart disease, he advocated them to go for lifestyle changes, including fresh wholesome diet to lead a happy and healthier life.