A few decades ago the obvious cause for a broken heart in a young individual was romance and love. But with the epidemic of coronary artery disease (CAD) hitting India hard, the scenario is changing rapidly and with it, the meaning and cause of a ‘broken young heart’. CAD refers to disease of the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries carry blood and oxygen to the heart; therefore any disease which affects the coronary arteries deprives the heart of oxygen — the extreme form of this deprivation occurs during myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Dr Priya Palimkar, Interventional Cardiologist, Jehangir Hospital, says that “Prevalence of Heart Disease in younger patients aged between 20 – 30 years have doubled in last decade”. Earlier we use to see younger patients very rarely but nowadays it’s very common. I see 1 young patient less than 30 years of age almost every fortnight. Last week a27 year old Software professional was presented with acute chest pain. Upon diagnosis we concluded the episode of Acute Heart Attack. His father also died at the younger age due to heart attack. His angiogram was eye openers which confirm the significant blockage in his main artery (LAD). Immediately we went ahead with Angioplasty (PTCA) and deployed two Bio Resorbable Vascular Scaffolds (BVS) which gradually disappear over a period of time.
As the global population rises over seven billion, a new report has shown that the number of deaths from hypertension, stroke, heart attacks and other circulatory diseases is on the rise, climbing from 12.3 million deaths to 17.3 million.
With the increasing global epidemic of cardiovascular disease, an estimated 23.6 million people would die from CVD in 2030 (ie. 30% of global deaths).Over 80% of these will take place in low and middle income families.This years focus on World heart day is on creating a heart -healthy environment– wherever you live, work and play.The WHO says that at least 80% of premature coronary artery disease could be avoided if main risk factors such as-tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. We probably need a health- hour and fruit/salad bars at workplace to tackle this challenge .
Dr Priya added, More than 52% adults do not meet recommendations for aerobic exercise. 38% adults ate fruit less than once a day and 23% ate vegetables less than once a day. In age group 40- 74 yrs31% men and 24% women have high LDL- less than half half get treatment for it. 2/3 rd of hypertension pts don’t get adequate treatment.
The most common causes being attributed to heart attack in young persons are smoking, high cholesterol, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obesity, Unhealthy food habits, Physical Inactivity, Stress, Genetics, Lack of awareness and recommends that all Indians should follow a healthy diet, be physically active, know and control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight, be tobacco-free, reduce stress, manage diabetes and limit alcohol consumption says Dr Priya
The precious asset of our nation is its young population; ironically, it is becoming the most vulnerable to CAD and myocardial infarction (MI) says Dr Priya
What You Can Do to Prevent Heart Disease
1. All Age Group
Choose a healthy Eating Plan
Be Physically Active
2. In Your 20’s
Find a Doctor and have regular wellness exam
Be Physically Active
Don’t Smoke and avoid second hand smoke
3. In Your 30’s
Make Heart Healthy living a family affair
Know your family history
Tame your stress
4. In your 40’s
Watch your weight
Have your Preventive Heart Check done annually
Don’t brush off snoring
5. In your 50’s
Eat a healthy diet
Learn the warning signs of Heart attack and stroke
Follow your treatment plan & Continue Periodic Preventive Heart check
6. In your 60’s
Have a Ankle Brachial Index Test
Watch your weight
Maintaining a Healthy Heart & Continuing the Best practices to be Healthy
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