Dr. Sumit Dheer, Sr. Consultant Cardiologist at Narayana Hospital, Ahmedabad, warns of the rising heart attack risk among young Indians. He sheds light on why an alarming number of young Indians in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, are now being diagnosed with serious heart conditions.
Lifestyle habits, genetics and hidden health conditions play a key role in an occurrence of heart attack. The sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diets packed with processed foods, smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic stress, poor sleep, hereditary risks, and the neglect of regular preventive health check-ups.
Why are young Indians at risk?
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to a clot forming over fatty deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries. In younger individuals, the causes may include:
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits—smoking, high junk food intake, excessive alcohol.
- Stress and lack of sleep—leading to hormonal imbalances and high blood pressure.
- Obesity and lack of exercise—contributing to high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Family history and genetics—higher risk if close relatives have heart disease at a young age.
- Gradual build-up of cholesterol and fat deposits build up in the arteries (atherosclerosis).
- A sudden rupture of plaque triggers blood clot formation.
- The clot blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
- Oxygen deprivation causes permanent damage, resulting in a heart attack.
How to prevent heart attack
- Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle to adopt a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and weight management.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol.
- Manage stress through yoga, meditation, or mindfulness practices.
- Get regular checkups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Prioritise sleep as restful sleep of seven to eight hours reduces risk of heart attacks.
Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain radiating to the arm, back, neck, or jaw
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness
- Unusual fatigue, especially after mild activity
Acceptance is key to recovery
Many young patients find it hard to believe they could have a heart attack. Denial often leads to neglecting lifestyle changes and treatment, increasing the risk of recurrence. Accepting the diagnosis is the first step toward recovery, adherence to medicines, lifestyle modification, and long-term survival.
