Why Young Indians are More Vulnerable to Heart Attack?

More Vulnerable to Heart Attack ?

We are all rattled by the latest news of actor Sidharth Shukla leaves us at an age of 40 years due to sudden heart attack.

Cardiovascular Heart Disease is the single largest non-communicable disease contributing to the morbidity burden in India. Cardiologists say they have, over the last decade, seen an increase in persons suffering heart attacks in their 20s and 30s. Fifty per cent of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 50 years of age and 25 per cent of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 40 years of age. Indians have a greater genetic predisposition to heart diseases. Studies have found that Indians get heart diseases at least 10 years before people in the West.

So what are the Risk Factors?

Indians consume a lot of trans fats- the ones we often find in fried and oily foods.

Apart from that There are some risk factors like smoking, stress, alcohol and family history. Diabetes, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol, obesity are the common risk factors across all age groups.

In the past few years, work culture has changed drastically. People are very stressed in their workplace and tend to eat outside a lot. They eat food that is high in sugar, salt and fat. The stress also causes youngsters to take to smoking, drinking and other unhealthy habits. Sleeplessness as another risk factor.

While a heart attack cannot necessarily be prevented, one can control the risk factors. Also, one must not ignore any new symptom just because he is in the 20-30 age group.

Things to Keep in Mind

Do not ignore symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, excessive sweating and dizziness. Also, one should try to stop smoking and consuming too much alcohol. Have an active lifestyle and avoid fatty foods