Young people rarely go for check-ups: experts
THE death of television actor Sidharth Shukla, 40, due to a heart attack earlier this month has many questioning the health and lifestyle of young people.
Shukla, best known for his role as Shivraj Shekhar in Balika Vadhu, was known for his passion for exercise, fitness and meditation.
While obesity, sedentary lifestyles and old age are traditionally existing reasons for heart ailments, health experts suggest increased workouts, stress and currently Covid-19 can also add to the risk.
Dr Anand Kumar Pandey, director and senior consultant, cardiology, at the Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi, India, said: “Generally cardiac issues are considered to be associated with obesity, old age or unhealthy lifestyle, but the fact is even a healthy young person apparently following a fitness regime can also suffer from a heart attack.
“We can never have insight into a person’s lifestyle, which includes hectic schedules, stress ... these also have so much to do with heart health,” he said.
Stress played a major role, said experts.
Dr TS Kler, the chairperson at the Fortis Heart and Vascular Institute at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, Haryana, India, said: “The youth have adopted bad lifestyle habits to deal with the stress they are facing due to their high-pressure jobs. And while ambition is good, there is an urgent need for balance.”
But can exercise, often touted as a preventive measure, also affect heart health?
“While high levels of cholesterol may cause blockages in arteries, going extremely beyond the capacity of the body for exercises or workouts puts extra pressure on blood vessels, and the same condition may potentially result in cardiac attack,” Pandey said.
The experts noted that young people rarely went for biannual or annual check-ups and therefore did not know what was going on in their bodies.
“Sometimes you do not get warning signs. But one thing to notice is if you are getting breathless and having chest, arm, or jaw discomfort while exercising or physically exerting yourself,” said Kler.
Moreover, Covid-19 infection as well as its long-lasting effects are also known to affect heart health.
Abnormal antibody response may raise blood clot risk in Covid-19 patients, resulting in heart attacks and strokes, according to a recent study published in the journal, Blood.
“Covid infection may also aggravate cardiac problems. Even in post-Covid syndrome, cardiac problems are being seen. We need to broaden the perspectives about heart health,” Pandey said.
The experts said that genetic predisposition or family history was also a factor. |