Heart disease is no longer a disease limited to people in their late 50s, 60s or 70s. In India, over 25% of total heart attacks currently happen in individuals younger than 40 years, and research indicates that 15–20% of sudden cardiac arrests in the country occur among those who are below 50 years. Even more alarming is the increasing rate of “silent” heart attacks incidents during which people experience cardiac injury without the typical warning symptoms such as intense chest pain. A study indicates that as many as 45% of heart attacks are silent globally and, in India, this factor is boosted due to very high stress, physical inactivity, and genetic susceptibility.
Why are heart attacks on the rise among the young?
Heart disease is no longer a disease limited to people in their late 50s, 60s or 70s. In India, over 25% of total heart attacks currently happen in individuals younger than 40 years, and research indicates that 15–20% of sudden cardiac arrests in the country occur among those who are below 50 years. Even more alarming is the increasing rate of “silent” heart attacks incidents during which people experience cardiac injury without the typical warning symptoms such as intense chest pain. A study indicates that as many as 45% of heart attacks are silent globally and, in India, this factor is boosted due to very high stress, physical inactivity, and genetic susceptibility.