OVERVIEW

Do you also feel that there is a sudden rise in cases of sudden heart attacks or an increase in the count of people suffering from various kinds of heart diseases in recent times? A lot of people today, in their 30s and 40s, are facing these life-threatening diseases and conditions that were in earlier days connected with diseases happening to the elderly who previously or for a long time faced various symptoms of heart diseases.

The main reason for the younger generation to get affected is partly due to the increase in obesity conditions in them. Along with obesity, comes high uncontrolled blood pressure and cholesterol which later puts young people at risk for heart diseases at such early stages in their lives.

WHAT CAUSES A HEART ATTACK?

Heart disease is an umbrella term that is used to cover a lot of conditions that affect a person’s heart. It majorly includes conditions like

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Irregular Heart Rhythms
• Congenital Heart Defects
• Cardiomyopathy (Diseases of Heart Muscles)
• Heart Valve Damage

There are a lot of factors that can affect (increase or decrease) the risk of causing heart disease in a person at a young age. Aspects like existing health conditions, lifestyle practices, or family history can be major reasons for the same. Although some risk factors like family history can not be controlled, you can still work on changing some daily routine practices that can help you lead a healthy life.

Some major risk factors that lead to heart disease include:

Smoking

There has been a high rise in the number of young smokers in recent years.
The chemicals in cigarette smoke cause blood vessel damage by making them swollen and inflamed. This leads to the narrowing of the vessels and many other cardiovascular conditions. A common myth is that smoking cigarettes with lower levels of tar or nicotine reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, which stands clinically wrong. Also, exposure to second-hand smoke is also known to cause heart disease in non-smokers.

Alcohol

Excessive intake of alcohol is known to cause high blood pressure and damage a body’s cardiovascular system leading to heart attacks.

Unhealthy Food

An important risk factor in coronary heart disease is a diet which is high in fat, saturated and has a lot of added sugar that leads to raised risk of heart disease.

Stress

The added factor of stress in today’s hectic world leads to an increase in inflammation of the body’s blood vessels. This in turn increases high blood pressure and decreases the good cholesterol level of the body ultimately leading to a lot of heart diseases.

Diabetes

People already affected by the condition of diabetes are more likely to undergo a heart condition and have a higher risk of heart attack than others. Diabetes causes the body’s blood sugar level to rise and causes damage to the nerves that control the heart muscles and artery walls.

Obesity

The bodies of individuals who suffer from obesity demand the supply of more oxygen and nutrients which eventually leads to causing extra strain on the body’s working conditions. This leads to high blood pressure levels and heart attacks.

High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Uncontrolled high blood pressure and cholesterol levels are one of the leading causes of heart diseases and many other dangerous heart conditions like stroke. Excess cholesterol levels lead to fat accumulating in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles and narrow them leading to strain on the heart and therefore heart attacks.

Lack of Physical Activity

Lack of physical activity in daily life is another risk factor for an increase in harmful heart conditions. Exercise helps to keep the heart and blood vessels healthy and avoid obesity and high blood pressure along with cholesterol levels.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASES?

Although men and women experience different symptoms before the occurrence of a heart attack, there are still some common symptoms that one should be aware of. Some of them are:

• Discomfort or pain in the centre of the chest region.
• Uncomfortable pressure or squeezing feeling that lasts for a few minutes.
• Discomfort in one or both arms
• Cold/excessive sweating/nausea/dizziness

TIPS TO PREVENT HEART DISEASES AT YOUNG AGE

A smart way to live your life is by making choices that reflect good health that prevent cardiovascular diseases. Below mentioned are a few tips that help you live longer and lower the chances of having a heart attack at a young age.

• Quit smoking
• Keep regular track of your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Maintain a stable body weight
• Make a habit of engaging in regular exercise and physical activity.
• Practice brisk walking for 30 minutes every day.
• Consume a well-balanced diet.
• Reduce the intake of salt in your meals.
• Avoid consuming packaged foods.

A heart attack can prove to be potentially fatal and therefore requires immediate medical attention when needed.

HEART CARE AT GSH

We at Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital, a heart specialist hospital in Vadodara, are dedicated to providing our patients with the best of services and quality care. If you or someone you know is experiencing any heart health issues, consult with the best cardiologist in Vadodara today at Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital. For consultations and appointments contact +91 96870 79991 / +91 88494 48102 and know more.