Heart attack rising among younger adults: Know how to keep your heart healthy

New Delhi: There is a noticeable upsurge in heart attack cases of people under 40 years of age as about 30 per cent of such patients admitted to hospitals are from this younger adults age group only.

This upsurge in heart disease in younger adults are caused mainly due to habits of smoking, work and non-work related stress, unhealthy diet, lack of sufficient physical activity and excess consumption of salt and packaged food.

It is noted that the youth who smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day are likely to develop heart diseases by 50 per cent. A rise in cholesterol levels can irk heart rates and the risk increases by 50 per cent; rise in blood pressure levels increase the risk rate to up to 30 per cent.

Cardiologist Dr R N Kalra, Medical director & CEO of New Delhi based Kalra Hospital & Sri Ram Cardio-Thoracic & Neurosciences Centre, said the numbers are not going to decrease unless drastic steps are taken.

‘The problem is that we are leading a very sedentary lifestyle that doesn’t allow us much physical activity,’ he added.

Today’s youth is stressed out mentally as well as physically. A major solution to this is drastic lifestyle modification that will help prevent premature heart attacks.

‘Young ones are the pillars of our nation, hence need priority attention on their health issues. Among all diseases non-communicable disease, including cardiovascular disease, are the biggest threat to them. Modern lifestyle living has come out to be the biggest culprit. Among other lifestyle habits found highly associated with heart attack episodes were lack of exercise, high intake of junk food,’ he noted.

He said young ones spending big time watching or working on computer, phone, tabs, screen which is very harmful to heart health.

Dr Kalra said, ‘Cardiovascular diseases have become one of the leading cause of mortality especially in India. I come across patients who have developed cardiovascular diseases due the kind of lifestyle they lead”.

“The amount of stress in their daily lives have put their heart in danger. It is important to say no to unhealthy practices like smoking and the consumption of alcohol and indulging in the physical activities to prevent heart ailment. We want to educate people on the importance of staying fit, eating well and leading a stress free life to keep their heart healthy in the long run,’ he said.

Senior consultant of internal medicine of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Dr Rakesh Kumar, said thrive on healthy food instead of relying on junk food, this is simple to adopt and very effective. Despite having a busy schedule, try and make time to organise, prioritise and balance your lifestyle.

Take up either yoga or dance or any other form of exercise that is therapeutic and helps in keeping you physically and mentally healthy.

He urged young people to shift to healthy lifestyle. Stress management exercises like yoga and meditation, high intake of fruits & vegetables, staying away from smoking, drugs & steroids, 45 minutes exercise daily at least five days a week, moderation on alcohol intake, six-seven hours of sleep, keeping diabetes and blood pressure in control, limit screen time to minimum-are all heart friendly activities and can prevent onset of heart disease by up to 80 per cent. (UNI)