When we hear the news or think of someone getting a heart attack, we automatically think of someone aged or someone in their 40s at least. But recent data shows that more and more young people below the age of 40 are at higher risk of having a heart attack. One in every five people who suffer a heart attack, one is under the age of 40. Between the years 2000 and 2016, heart attacks have been increasing by 2% each year. Actor Siddharth Shukla made headlines when he died of a sudden heart attack in September 2021 at the young age of 40. This raised questions about the causes of heart attacks among young people. The seemingly simple reason is, of course, due to a change in lifestyles. More and more adults today smoke, which gives rise to the pressure put on the cardiovascular system. The 5-9 job has left people no time to cook and has increased the intake of fast food, which ultimately gave rise to obesity. The same reason has led to a lack of physical activity. These all add to the rise in pressure put on the cardiovascular system.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) can lead to Myocardial Infarction (MI), which can be the cause of an abrupt and unprecedented death. According to Dr. Rajnish Sardana, a senior cardiologist at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, “When the blood supply to the heart muscles is stopped or there is some interruption in blood supply, it leads to necrosis of the tissue, which means death of the tissue of the cardiac cells and damage to the heart muscles.”
SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACKS
One should know that there are no visible signs of heart attack. The following are the traits of the indications during the occurrence of a heart attack:
Chest pain (Angina): It may occur for a few minutes, then come back again after a while.
· Shortness of breath
· Discomfort: In the arms, back, jaw, neck and stomach.
· Sweating and nausea
· Light-headedness
FACTORS AFFECTING HEART ATTACK
Factors leading to heart attacks in youngsters are as follows:
Obesity
Heredity
Smoking
Lifestyle: Low physical activity and increased intake of foods containing fat
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol Levels
Level of Stress
Alcohol
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT HEART ATTACK?
Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Avoid smoking or drinking since it doubles the risk of heart attack.
Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check.
Limit the intake of fats and start eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
If you’re overweight, try to convince a doctor of the same and follow the suggestions given to lose weight in a healthy way.
WHAT TO DO IN A TIME OF EMERGENCY?
First of all, call an emergency (100 for India) or medical help from a nearby clinic if you think someone is having a heart attack.
If you or someone you know is having a heart attack, chew and swallow an aspirin since it helps prevent blood clots.
Do CPR if someone is already unconscious or you can’t feel their pulse till the emergency arrives
If someone you know is having a heart attack, reassure them. Encourage them to relax and keep encouraging them to keep calm.
TREATMENT FOR HEART ATTACK
Heart attack treatment involves a variety of medications such as anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, angiotensin-converting enzymes, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, etc.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT): Patients who undergo CABG (Coronary artery bypass graft surgery) are treated with two antiplatelet agents at the same time. This is known as DAPT.
Coronary Angioplasty: This is done by specialists, and not all hospitals have such facilities.
Use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator).
The heart is a very important part of our body and we need to take proper care of it, especially the young. A heart attack can cause immediate death. Leading a healthy lifestyle and avoiding smoking can help prevent heart attacks among young people.
writer - Upasana puri
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