Earlier people used to think that a heart attack can affect the elderly only. But, nowadays we often hear about heart attacks among youth as well. Before jumping into the details let's first understand what exactly is a heart attack.
Heart Attack:
The heart needs oxygen to survive. A heart attack occurs when the blood that brings oxygen to the heart gets blocked completely. The most common cause of blockage is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. Thus, that creates plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries).
A plaque can break and generate a clot, obstructing blood flow. Interrupted blood flow has the potential to harm or destroy a portion of the heart muscle.
Ischemia occurs when the heart muscle lacks oxygen and nutrients. A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction. It happens when ischemia causes damage or death to a part of the heart muscle.
Why are heart attacks becoming common in young people?
When the blood flow that delivers oxygen to the heart muscle is significantly or completely cut off, a heart attack ensues. Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are at a greater risk of developing a heart attack. Heart attacks, on the other hand, are becoming more common among young individuals. Young heart attack victims are frequently smokers, and obese. Also, those who suffer from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. As a result, an unhealthy lifestyle can place a lot of strain on the heart. Unfortunately, it leads to exposing young adults to a heart attack.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Though for every individual the symptoms may vary. Few may get mild, severe, or even no symptoms. The most common symptoms are:
Pressure, tightness, soreness, squeezing, or aching sensations in your chest or arms, which may spread to your neck, jaw, or back.
Symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal pain
Breathlessness
Fatigue and cold sweat
Dizziness
Heart attack symptoms vary
Not all people who get a heart attack have the same symptoms. It varies from individual to individual. Some people experience modest pain, while others experience severe pain. Some people show no signs of illness. For others, the initial symptom could be a cardiac arrest. The more indications and symptoms you have, however, the more likely you are suffering a heart attack.
Although some heart attacks occur unexpectedly. However, many patients have warning signs and symptoms hours, days, or weeks in advance. The first sign could be recurring chest pain or pressure (angina), which is primarily caused by exercise and eased by rest. Angina is usually produced by a brief reduction in blood flow to the heart.
Heart attack after COVID-19
COVID-19 has been linked to cardiac muscle damage and impaired heart function in studies. Experts have proposed numerous explanations for this, including elevated levels of inflammation in the body. The effect on the heart may be more severe in persons who already have heart problems. So, even if you've recovered from COVID, see a doctor if you see any warning signals.
Prevention of heart attack among Youngster
The key to preventing the chance of having a heart attack is a healthy lifestyle. A proper lifestyle can change individual health. Following are some measures that an individual can incorporate in their day-to-day living style.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases or doubles the risk of having a heart attack.
Keep track of your vital statistics, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.
In case you are overweight or obese then reduce weight.
Have an active life. Exercise regularly even if it's for 30 mins.
Sugars and unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fats) should be avoided. Increase your consumption of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as entire grains.
Say no to alcohol.
The connection between yoga and heart
Yoga and the heart share a strong bond. There are five ways in which yoga reduces the risk of heart problems.
Yoga lowers the stress level: Yoga is practiced by people worldwide to relieve stress. Yoga relieves stress by relaxing the body, enhancing breathing, and increasing blood flow.
Following are the exercises that help in reducing stress:
Sirshasana the headstand
Matsyasana the fish pose
Shishuasana the child pose
Halasana, Plough pose
Paschimottanasana, sitting forward bend pose
Hastapadasana, standing forward bend pose
Bhramari the humming bee sound
Bhastrika the bellows breath
Yoga controls blood pressure: Stress causes an increase in blood pressure, which is one of the risk factors for heart disease. Because yoga reduces stress, it is great for persons who are at risk for heart disease due to high blood pressure.
Yoga asanas for lowering the blood pressure:
Setu Bandhasana(Bridge pose)
Paschimottanasana, sitting forward bend pose
Adho mukha svanasana (Downward-facing dog pose)
Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-wall pose)
Uttanasana (Standing forward bend pose)
Yoga helps in losing weight: Being active is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle. In the case of an overweight condition, yoga can help in reducing weight. It has the potential to decrease harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Following are the yoga poses:
Yoga gives you a healthy mindset: Most yoga practitioners begin to take better care of their overall health. That implies you're more likely to make dietary changes that will reduce your risk of heart disease. It also implies that you will be less inclined to smoke, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Asana for healthy mindset:
TADASANA also called Mountain Pose
Shoulder stand yoga
Intense Dorsal stretch
Cross leg yoga posture
Plough pose
Yoga controls blood sugar: Diabetes puts you at a higher risk for heart disease. In fact, the most common complication of untreated diabetes is heart disease. A vigorous yoga practice will help you lower your blood sugar, lowering your risk of heart disease.
Poses for controlling sugar:
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Balasana (Child pose)
Bhujangasana (Upward facing dog pose)
Corpse pose (Shavasana)
Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani)
Mountain pose (Tadasana)
Mandukasana (Frog Pose)
Chakarasna (Wheel Pose)
Halasana (Plow Pose)
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the fish pose)
Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Reclining bound angle pose (Supta baddha konasana)
Supported shoulder stand (Sarvangasana)
Upward-facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana)
Supine spinal twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
When it comes to heart disease, yoga is just as efficient as any other form of exercise in lowering the risk, but it also has the extra bonus of being beneficial for your mind, spirit, and bodily health. This implies that yoga provides you with much more tools to cope with all of the risk factors for heart disease, as well as improve your life in other ways.
Author - Rounak Sharma
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