YOU ARE NOT TOO YOUNG OR TOO OLD TO GET A HEART ATTACK

Worldwide, heart attacks claim the most lives. Heart attacks impact both elderly and younger people equally. Heart attacks among young individuals are drastically on the rise. In general, Indians get a heart attack 8–10 years earlier than those of other racial or cultural backgrounds. Now, heart physicians are not startled to see a 25-year-old or even a youngster have a heart attack. As the "younger" working population is at risk, 25% of heart attacks in India occur in people under the age of 40, placing a significant burden on the productive workforce. Lack of attention to a heart-healthy lifestyle is one of the major causes of heart attacks. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only highly advised, but it is also the best line of defense against heart disease and stroke.

• The greater heart attack rate among Indians is attributed to several variables, including:

• Urbanization of rural areas

• Mass migration of people from rural to urban regions

• An increase in sedentary lifestyle because of demanding work schedules

• Abdominal obesity (belly fat)

• Metabolic syndrome

• Diabetes and high blood pressure

• Consuming insufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables

• A rise in the consumption of fried, processed, and junk food as a result of the fast food culture.

• An increase in tobacco use and substance abuse problems (cocaine and other dugs)

• Lack of knowledge of or poor control of the risk factors for coronary artery disease

• Low Hdl-cholesterol (good cholesterol levels)

• Genetic predisposition

What precautions should be taken by young Indians to avoid having an early heart attack?

It is more cost-effective to implement a preventative approach for cardiovascular diseases than it is to administer treatments once the condition has already developed. Early childhood is when the seeds of heart disease are planted. Wider cardiac screening and health promotion are thus required in schools and colleges as a preventative approach. Additionally, the government need to make a deliberate effort to examine if there is scope in the curriculum for teaching about healthy living and heart disease. Young people should have cardiac screening that considers their blood pressure, family history, stress-related conditions, heartrelated symptoms, and other risk factors. Changes in lifestyle will play a significant role in lowering risk factors and preventing early heart attacks. In today's world, stress levels are high on both a mental and physical level, especially among young people. Increased risk factors for cardiac ailments, such as stress, higher occurrences of diabetes and blood pressure, are brought on by intense and highly competitive work environments. These ailments are made worse by smoking, binge drinking, abusing drugs, not exercising, and getting too little sleep. Regular, isotonic cardiovascular activity of a moderate intensity, such as brisk walking, cycling, running, and swimming five days per week, reduces heart attacks by 30%. It manages diabetes and cholesterol, lowers BP, and helps people lose weight. Thrive on nutritious food rather to junk food, which implies that a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, soy products, and low-fat dairy products must be included in our daily diet. Soya products should be used instead of milk since they are higher in plant proteins, lower in fat, cholesterol-free, and high in calcium and other minerals. The partly hydrogenated vegetable fats (trans fatty acids) found in fast food restaurants, cookies, chips, and other products should be avoided since they are more harmful than saturated fats (as they raise the bad cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and lowers good cholesterol, HDL cholesterol). Avoid using smoke, abusing drugs, and consuming alcohol excessively. Despite having a hectic schedule, learn to organize and balance the lifestyle by improving time management skills. Regular exercise or yoga can help keep heart diseases at bay because people are becoming sedentary as a result of their increased computer and tech-friendly lifestyles. The finest exercise for maintaining a person's physical and spiritual wellness is yoga.