Why are heart problems increasing in younger age group?
The untimely death of TV celebrities in the past few months has left everyone in a state of shock. Heart attack, cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular diseases are a major concern around the world. But recently, a rising number of cardiovascular issues among the younger population is being diagnosed and reported.
Young people these days start gymming without a pre-cardiac check-up. At the gym, they do weight training, which increases the thickness of the heart. They do treadmill work out, cross training; some even take supplements, which are not good and can cause damage to the heart, leading to arrhythmia. So, it is always advisable to go for regular health check-ups after the age of 35.
However, there are many other factors also that cause cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy eating habits and patterns, stress, family history and sedentary lifestyle. You probably know that cigarette smoking causes breathing problems and lung cancer. But, did you know it also makes you more likely to have a heart attack?
Every cigarette you smoke makes you more prone to heart disease. Roughly one out of five deaths from heart disease is directly related to smoking. People who smoke are two to four times more likely to get heart disease. The risk is even greater for women who smoke and also take birth control pills.
Cigarette smoke is also bad for the people around you, as passive smoking can also cause heart disease and lung cancer in people who don’t smoke.
Around 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Healthy diet, regular physical activity and not using tobacco products are key to prevention. Checking and controlling risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and high blood sugar or diabetes is also very important.
Follow 5 S programme: Smoke – No
Salt – No extra Sugar – Control
Stress – Control
Sedentary lifestyle – Exercise
The author of this article is Dr Subrat Akhoury, director — cath lab, interventional cardiologist and head (Unit-I), Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi-NCR, Sec 21 A, Badhkal Flyover Road, Faridabad; Call: 0129-4253000; www.aimsindia.com
Disclaimer: The veracity of any health claim made in the above article is the responsibility of the concerned hospital/doctor