Rise in cardiovascular disease in young adults

In the past, coronary artery disease was considered to be a disease of the elderly. In recent years, though, the occurrence of heart attacks has been on the rise, especially in young adults, it has also been seen that young patients with heart attacks are at the same risk of dying as compared to their older counterparts. Heart diseases among Indians occur five to ten years earlier than in other populations across the globe. According to the 2018-19 INTERHEART study, the median age for the first presentation of acute Myocardial Infarction (commonly known as a heart attack), in the South Asian (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) population is 53 years, whereas in Western Europe, China, and Hong Kong it is 63 years. In India, the most worrying part is that heart ailments among younger people are on a constant rise.

Various factors have been attributed to this causation. Among the most prominent factors are the rising incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and high cholesterol due to increasing obesity (waist-hip ratio), increased consumption of processed foods and beverages, and lack of physical activity. Work-related stress and increased screen time also contribute significantly to heart problems. The grinding pace of modern lifestyle distracts our minds and affects our health for the worse. Stress has been said to be a major reason why the younger generation is prone to heart disease. When you are exposed to long periods of stress, your body gives warning signals that something is wrong. These physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural warning signs should not be ignored. They tell you that you need to slow down. If you continue to be stressed and you don't give your body a break, you are likely to develop health problems like heart disease. You could also worsen an existing illness. Another factor responsible is smoking in the younger population. Genetic predisposition to heart attacks in the young is also well studied. It is seen that if a person’s father or brother had a heart attack when they were under 55 years of age or their mother or sister experienced it when they were under 65 years of age, then the chances of them having coronary artery disease are increased. Such individuals need to be more vigilant for their health.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:

• Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, heartburn or indigestion.
• Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or the upper part of the stomach.
• Shortness of breath or persistent prolonged fatigue. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

Going forward, it is important to follow these healthy practices to prevent heart ailments at an early age: -

• Quit smoking and avoid using tobacco. Smoking increases your blood pressure and heart rate. The risk of heart disease in a smoker is far more as compared to that of a non-smoker.
• Give up sedentary lifestyle. Get active.  Physical activity is very helpful in controlling your weight and it reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. The recommendation is to Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.
• Consume a diet that is healthy for your heart. A diet based on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, limited red meat consumption, reduced saturated fat and processed meat intake, and a low-sodium diet are recommended throughout the guidelines. Certain diets like the DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) are also available and you can consult your doctor in this regard.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being obese increases your cardiovascular risk. If you are overweight, you need to work towards a proper weight reduction strategy by setting realistic goals.
• Get quality sleep. Lack of sleep increases your risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and depression. Ensure that you get at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
• Manage your anxiety and stress levels. Stress is a trigger for a lot of health problems. Work out a plan to manage your stress levels. Engage in activities that you enjoy doing.
• Go for a routine health check-up. The majority of guidelines have recommended screening for traditional heart disease risk factors and apply the race- and sex-specific Risk Estimator calculator to estimate 10-year risk for asymptomatic adults 40 to 75 years of age, there is a chance that you may miss out on high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Regular check-ups with your doctor can keep you informed about these numbers, and you can take appropriate measures.