Heart – the vital organ is a part of the cardiovascular system responsible for circulating blood in the body. A heart beats around 60-100 times in a minute with each beat sending blood throughout the body. The fist-sized organ is located in the chest and is made up of muscle tissue called cardiac muscle.
Did you know? An adult healthy heart beats around 1,00,000 times a day and over 2.5 billion times over an average lifetime.
Given the crucial role the heart plays, even the slightest of issues can lead to serious complications. These complications can range from mild issues like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, valve problems, etc. to severe issues like coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, heart failure, and more.
A heart attack also known as myocardial infarction is a medical emergency caused due to blockage of arteries that supply blood to the heart.
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The heart is made up of a special type of muscle tissue called cardiac muscle, these muscles require oxygen to survive. A heart attack is a condition when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscles is reduced or stopped for too long causing heart muscles to die.
The blood flow is usually reduced due to the narrowing of the coronary artery from plaque (a buildup of fat, cholesterol & other substances). The plaque further blocks the blood flow through the artery to the heart muscles resulting in a heart attack.
The most common symptoms of heart attack are pain in the chest, a feeling of discomfort, squeezing or heaviness, pain radiating to the arms, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and more. Additionally, men and women usually have different heart attack symptoms.
The plaque buildup in the walls of the artery is called Atherosclerosis. The blocking of the artery may have no symptoms in the early stages, though when the artery is narrowed by nearly 70% symptoms like muscle pain, and cramps, may start to appear.
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Heart attacks in young people are another growing concern around the world. According to a report by the Indian Express, 50% of heart attack cases since 2020 are among adults aged below 40.
Heart attack, once considered the disease of the elderly is strikingly affecting young adults. The factors contributing to this growing number include sedentary lifestyle, genetic factors, stress, poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, etc.
In India, a decade ago heart attacks were common in people in their late 50s, but now the trend has shifted, people are suffering fatal heart attacks in their early 30s. Young individuals are experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc. The main factors leading to heart attack in youngsters include:
A family history of heart conditions can make people more prone to heart attacks. First-degree male relatives aged 55 or less having a heart attack or stroke history or first-degree female relatives aged below 65 with a heart condition history can increase the risk of heart disease or heart attack.
Smoking (foods that reduces cravings during discontinuation of smoking) is linked to causing various types of issues in the body including the heart. Smoking leads to plaque buildup in the arteries affecting the blood flow and increasing the risk of blockage resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Being overweight is associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance all of which can increase the risk of heart attack. Also, being overweight can strain the heart resulting in heart failure.
The number of youngsters getting diagnosed as diabetic is rapidly increasing, and individuals with diabetes (symptoms, causes & effective treatment) are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease compared to non-diabetic people. Elevated blood sugar levels in the body can damage blood vessels which can interrupt the flow of blood to the heart.
High cholesterol in the blood is directly related to an increased risk of heart attack. High cholesterol in the blood can cause plaque to build up in the arteries, impacting the blood flow to the heart, and leading to an increased risk of heart attack.
High blood pressure or hypertension is already on the rise in younger adults given the sedentary lifestyle, stress, poor diet, etc. Consistent high blood pressure can damage the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease including heart attack.
The growing number of heart attacks in youngsters is also linked to a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, inactive lifestyle, etc which are significant contributors to various types of mild to severe heart diseases.
Another factor that is a major contributor to the increasing number of heart attacks in youngsters is the overuse of substances like cocaine, amphetamines, and more that can narrow the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack.
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A heart attack is a serious medical condition and catching the signs early is crucial. Heart attack symptoms usually vary between men and women. At times the symptoms are mistaken as mild discomfort but it’s important to understand what is a medical emergency, below are the most common symptoms:
The primary sign of a heart attack is pressure or tightness in the chest causing chest pain. The discomfort might be aching pain in the centre or left side of the chest.
The chest pain or discomfort may start to radiate & spread to the arms, back, neck, jaw, etc.
Sweating is another common sign of heart attack. Sudden cold sweats accompanied by nausea or light-headedness.
Sometimes people may also experience an upset stomach or vomiting along with other symptoms.
Feeling unusually tired or weak even without exertion along with feeling of unsteadiness or dizziness.
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| Preventive Measures | Details |
| Exercise Regularly | Exercise for 30 minutes every day for 5 days a week. |
| Stick to a Healthy Diet | Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains & lean proteins. |
| Avoid Smoking | Refrain from smoking as it increases the risk of heart disease. |
| Maintain a Healthy Weight (Weight Management Tips from Experts) | Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce strain on the heart. |
| Manage Stress | Practice yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. |
| Regular Health Checkup | Monitor heart health regularly & manage any risk factors. |
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How to check heart blockage?
Tests like cardiac catheterization, angiogram, MRI, etc. can help detect heart blockage.
Can stress cause a heart attack?
Yes, stress can contribute to the risk of a heart attack.
What is the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest?
Heart attack is blockage of the coronary artery preventing blood flow while cardiac arrest is a condition where the heart’s electrical system malfunctions causing it to stop beating.
What is the best test to check for heart problems?
Tests like echocardiograms, CT scans, blood tests like lipid profiles, and BNP tests can help accurately assess cardiovascular health.
