Rise in Heart Attacks Among Younger Adults

Heart attacks were once considered a disease of old age, but not anymore. About 50% of first heart attacks occur in Indians under 55 years old, and 25% occur before 40 years of age, according to the Indian Heart Journal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases cause 17.9 million deaths worldwide every year (that’s 4 out of every 5 deaths caused by heart conditions). Experts say the rise in stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and pollution has led to an increase in heart-related problems, even among teenagers and young professionals.

What Are The Warning Signs?

Many people think that a heart attack is sudden and intense, like the filmi heart attack depicted in the movies where a person clutches their chest and falls over. The truth is that many heart attacks start as a mild discomfort in the centre of the chest. Someone who feels such a “non-filmi” warning may not be sure what is wrong. The discomfort (and other symptoms) may even come and go. Even people who have had a heart attack may not recognize the signs because the next one can have entirely different symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t brush them off. Seek medical attention immediately: Timing is everything. People who experience the warning signs of a heart attack often deny how serious the situation is and take a wait-and-see approach. But time is very important, and anyone with these warning signs needs to get medical evaluation and treatment right away.

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