Heart attacks among youngsters getting common; act now

In the recent past, we have noticed and heard the news that two well-known figures in their 40s – Sidharth Shukla (40 years old) and Puneeth Rajkumar (46 years old) lost their lives. 

The sole reason in both cases – a heart attack. Surprisingly, both these figures used to take exercise seriously, and such cases made us wonder if exercise is the key to a long life and good health. 

According to new studies, heart attacks, traditionally thought to be an aspect of “old man’s disease,” are increasingly happening in younger individuals, especially women. The study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation and presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions meeting looked into heart attacks among young people. This population is typically ignored in cardiovascular research.

Reasons behind

To begin with, as per many doctors, the rising incidence of heart attacks among young people rises mainly out of three issues.  

Firstly, smoking among young people is the main cause. Secondly, a large group of young people witness a high level of mental stress in their professional space. And third, most of us are leading a sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity. Several other factors include:

Diabetes: Compared with those without diabetes, those with diabetes are two to four  times more susceptible to dying from heart disease. A problem arises when your blood sugar isn’t controlled enough to stay at a healthy level. Your blood vessels are damaged by high blood sugar, which increases the likelihood that fat will amass in your arteries, ultimately leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. 

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow.

Hypertension: Simply put, high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the incidence is increasing more quickly in young adults than in older adults, similar to the trend in heart attacks. High blood pressure damages your blood vessels, thickens the heart muscles, and raises your risk of a heart attack.

Overweight: For various reasons, being overweight significantly increases your chance of having a heart attack. Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the heart. Even if someone is in generally good health, obesity alone increases the risk of a heart attack. Many times, obese people have other medical issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, that are detrimental to their heart health.

Act! Act! Act!

By the time heart disease symptoms manifest, the condition is occasionally already far along. Hence, such incidents clearly indicate people’s need for regular checkups. For the heart to function properly, it is imperative to keep a check on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Similarly, regular physical activity for at least 30 to 45 minutes is required five days a week. Moreover, cardio exercises that include cycling, jogging, swimming, etc., benefit the heart. While going to the gym may be ok, but lifting excessive weight, on the other hand, is bad for the heart.

Finally, it is strictly advisable to avoid trans-fat-rich foods at all costs. The chance of developing heart disease, including a stroke, is increased by trans fat. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods high in fibre make up a heart-healthy diet and are also good for general health.

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