According to a research paper presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual Scientific Session in 2019, the cases of heart attacks are steadily rising in very young adults especially under the age of 40 and the condition is no different in India. Sedentary lifestyle, oxidative stress, inactivity, and genetic predisposition are some of the reasons doctors cite for this growing trends.

“Basis of all vascular events is proven to be endothelial (lining of blood vessels) damage by oxidative stress,” Doctor Chandan Vishwakarma, MBBS, DNB (Physician) told Opoyi and added that “in today’s time factors contributing to increased risk include lack of physical exercise, increased stress, eating foods with high oxidative stress like simple sugars too much of saturated fats, smoking, alcoholism and genetic predisposition too plays role.”

Doctor Saurabh Arora, Inventor of SNEC30, and an Ayurveda Expert with Arbro Pharmaceuticals says that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the world “claiming 17.9 million deaths yearly”.

“The majority of these death is from Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke. People living in developed countries are more prone to Cardiovascular Disease as they tend to follow a sedentary lifestyle, which is taking away their lives slowly. We must emphasize the prevention which makes us not only healthier but also makes us live our life with zest,” he said.

 Rahul Chabbria, Consultant Cardiology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre in Mumbai, too, says that one major reason for youngsters suffering strokes is because of the change in lifestyle and unhealthy food.

“The food habits have changed significantly. We have started consuming more outside food, which is rich in saturated and trans fat that are not good for our body. Also, plenty of carbonated drinks contain high amounts of sugar and caffeine. We avoid walking even short distances and using stairs,” Chabbria told Opoyi.

“Increased use of smoking, tobacco, and other drugs and stress also plays a major role, both directly harming our body and also indirectly,” he added.

So what’s the cure?

“Ways to decrease the risk include adopting a healthy lifestyle, physical exercise, eating healthy and avoiding tobacco in all forms, alcohol in moderation. Stress also causes a form of cardiomyopathy called broken heart syndrome. Therefore means to cope up with stress should be sought. If needed, help of a psychologist or psychiatrist should be taken,” said Doctor Vishwakarma.

So this World Heart Day, let’s promise ourselves a healthy lifestyle.