Stay fit for a healthy heart: Apollo doctor warns of rising cardiac risks among youth

Unhealthy lifestyles are emerging as one of the major contributors to the growing incidence of heart disease among youngsters, with cardiologists warning that heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems are increasingly affecting people at a much younger age.

On the eve of World Heart Day on September 29, observed with the theme “Use Heart for Action,” Dr.A.Sreenivas Kumar, Senior.Consultant Cardiologist Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, stressed the need for young people to take cardiovascular health seriously. Cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death globally, while India continues to witness a worrying rise in cardiac risk factors.

According to Dr.A.Sreenivas Kumar, the age of patients reporting cardiac episodes has been steadily declining, with some hospitals now treating youngsters below 30 years of age for serious heart-related problems. Doctors also report performing angioplasty procedures on several young patients every month.

“Urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, stress, smoking and increasing dependence on junk food are contributing significantly to premature heart disease among youngsters,” doctors said.

Obesity, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, once more commonly associated with older age groups, are now increasingly being detected among younger adults. Long working hours, desk-bound jobs, inadequate physical activity and frequent consumption of calorie-dense processed foods are adding to the risk.

Dr.A.Sreenivas Kumar advises youngsters, who are overweight or leading sedentary lifestyles to undergo periodic health checks, including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol assessments, along with monitoring of body mass index (BMI).

He recommend a three-pronged approach to maintaining heart health. A balanced diet with more vegetables, salads, fruits and whole foods, while limiting junk food, processed foods and sugary beverages, is essential. Regular physical activity, such as a brisk 30-minute walk every day, can help improve cardiovascular fitness and maintain a healthy weight.

Lifestyle changes are equally important. Quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, getting adequate sleep and managing stress through yoga, meditation or other healthy activities can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.

He also cautioned youngsters against using weight-loss medicines or appetite-suppressing drugs without medical supervision. Crash diets and quick-fix approaches, they said, may have adverse effects and are unlikely to provide sustainable results.

“Heart health has to be protected from an early age. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management and periodic screening can go a long way in preventing premature cardiac disease,” cardiologists said.

Dr.A.Sreenivas Kumar urged youngsters not to ignore warning signs such as unexplained chest discomfort, breathlessness, unusual fatigue, dizziness or palpitations and to seek immediate medical attention when symptoms are sudden or severe.

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