Health parameters in check will prevent heart attacks: Experts

CHENNAI: Acute and chronic stress, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy food are fast damaging the heart health of young Indians, thus compounding India’s burden of cardiovascular diseases multifold.

On account of World Heart day, cardiologists say that in the last 20 years, there has been an alarming 200 per cent increase in heart ailments among the most productive population in the age group of 20-50 years in India.

However, about 80 per cent of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with a combination of healthy lifestyle, regular medical checkup and early treatment.

Dr N Ganesan, head of department of Cardiology, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre said, “Acute and chronic stress is among the key but modifiable risk factors. Constant and overexposure to stress due to competition and deadlines for young people has become a norm these days. Stress has the potential to change the inner linings of heart arteries, and cause inflammation. These changes can facilitate blood clot and result in heart attacks."

Doctors say that in addition to stress, young people today sleep less - they are awake till midnight; they have no time for relaxation. They eat out at fast food joints too often.

Dr R M Krishnan, senior consultant, cardiothoracic vascular surgery said that in addition to genetic dispositions, changing lifestyle, and pollution is worsening the situation.

“Air and noise pollution can also result in inflammation of arteries. Moderate to intense exercises is important not only for adults, but also for children and teens. Overweight people must reduce the intake of calories from fats and sugar. We must keep ourselves hydrated throughout the day, and have a diet of unprocessed and fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods that are low in saturated fats, sugar and salt".

Talking about the importance of medical examinations related to heart health, Dr S Kumar, senior consultant of Department of Cardiac Anaesthesiology said, “About 25 per cent of heart diseases do not show any symptoms. Even if there is a block of just about 30-40 per cent, it can result in heart attack and cardiac arrest. Though discomfort in the chest while having a brisk walk or pain in the left arm could be signs of heart ailments, some do not experience any symptom even when the blockage is severe. Hence checkups are important."

He added that exercise tests are important at 25, annual checkup and blood cholesterol check ups, from 30 years onwards, and CT scan is recommended for people who are 35 and above. Every one of us must know our numbers in terms of the level of our blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar. Regular checkups are a must especially for people with family history, diabetes, smoking habit, and hypertension," he added.