The recent cases of increased cardiovascular diseases among young people in India have instigated alarm calls by cardiologists in the country. Previously a disease of old age, heart diseases are causing alarm as more and more people in their 20s and 30s suffer from them, causing doctors to prescribe early check-ups and lifestyle modification and raise awareness among people to curb the silent epidemic. The top Indian cardiologists have recently highlighted the significance of early heart tests, even among individuals in their 20s, in a report by Hindustan Times. This follows a spate of sudden deaths of celebrities in the news.
The sudden surge in deaths due to heart attacks among younger members of the corporate world and students. A considerable number of them never had any outward signs or indications before the event.
Dr. Anil Bansal, a senior cardiologist in Delhi, stated, “We are witnessing an increasing number of young patients—between the ages of 25 and 35—presenting with severe blockages, sometimes even resulting in sudden cardiac arrest. This is a wake-up call.”
In support of this, research done by a BJ medical college in Ahmedabad studied 131 sample autopsies and discovered that 15 percent of the people who died before the age of 40 years had severe plaque deposits in their arteries. Early indicators of heart trouble in another 31 percent included coronary artery disease, even though many experienced no previous heart problems. In Karnataka alone, 18 youth younger than 30 have succumbed to sudden cardiac instances within a month, and this can be seen as the reason why the Karnataka health department has created a special research committee to investigate the matter statewide.
“We used to consider chest pain and heart disease as an old man’s disease. Not anymore,” said Dr. Sarita Rao, a cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Indore. “Now, teenagers and young adults are coming in with heart complications. The numbers are genuinely disturbing.”
Testing early helps save lives.
The most significant reason why early-age cardiac troubles are on the increase is the unhealthy, fast-paced lifestyle. One of the principal factors leading to early arterial damage is a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, a lot of stress, and lack of sleep.
“We are not designed for the kind of stress we subject our bodies to in this digital age,” said Dr. Rao. “Youngsters are spending 10-12 hours in front of screens, skipping meals, eating junk food, and sleeping erratically. This is leading to early onset of conditions like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol—all of which increase the risk of heart disease.”
Moreover, Indians have a natural predisposition to heart disorders since their coronary arteries are smaller, and they are more likely to experience insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Depending on these biological weaknesses and unhealthy lifestyle habits make up a toxic combination. Experts have advised Indians to start having regular heart checks as early as the age of 20 years, particularly when there is a history of cardiac disease in the family or when he or she has a lifestyle malady such as obesity and diabetes.
Basic screening should include:
- Blood pressure and sugar levels
- Lipid profile (cholesterol test)
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Stress test or treadmill test (if symptoms exist)
In the case of high-risk individuals who do not show symptoms, advanced techniques like the 2D echocardiogram or CT angiography can be prescribed.
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, founder of Narayana Health, highlighted the importance of proactive diagnostics: “No one dies of sudden cardiac arrest with a normal heart. There is always an underlying problem—be it a blockage or electrical abnormality—that could have been detected in advance through a simple 30-minute test.”
To curb such worrying trends, various state governments and health agencies are taking steps to carry out awareness programs, free check-up camps, and education on heart health at the school level. More than 500 cases of heart attacks were reported in Hassan district, Karnataka, in two years, and almost 200 cases resulted in death. In this regard, Member of Parliament Shreyas Patel initiated a district-scale heart health campaign, touring villages offering ECG tests and reminding young people that they should visit the doctor when they have the slightest possibility of chest pains. On the same note, the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) is also in the process of establishing a national registry to monitor premature cardiac events and gain a more regionalized view of heart disease.
Gender Differences in Warning Signs.
Scientists also add that heart attack symptoms may be different, and men and women might have them. Where men have been known to report such conventional complications as chest pains and tightness, women also complain of fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and some pain along the jaw or upper back that is mild.
“Women tend to ignore their symptoms or mistake them for gastric issues,” said Dr. Meenakshi Jain, a cardiologist from Mumbai. “This delay in treatment can be fatal.”
One way that preventable deaths among women can be prevented is by raising gender specific awareness and training frontline medical workers to understand such discrepancies.
Lessons Young Indians Need to Learn
Here are five practical steps young Indians can adopt today to protect their heart health:
- Take up a balanced diet: Take less processed food, sugar, and saturated fat. Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Keep fit: Get into a habit of doing moderate physical exercises at least 30 minutes a day, ex. Walking, cycling, or yoga.
- Cut down alcohol and stop smoking: They are among the most important causes of getting heart disease and stroke, particularly at a younger age.
- Sleep: It is time to get 7- 8 hours of good sleep. Sleep deficiency is associated with obesity and high blood pressure.
- Get familiar with your figures: Go and get your blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol checked every year, even though you are certain that you are fine.
Conclusion
The recent increase in cardiovascular problems among youth in India has become a mainstream health care issue that can no longer be overlooked. The medical world is sending a strong message that is, control your heart health before it is too late.
Prevention based on early screening, awareness, and lifestyle change is not a choice but an immediate need.
. . .