The busiest cardiac centres see young people being rushed to their emergency wards with heart attacks almost everyday. A growing number of untimely deaths of celebrities, including the comedian Raju Srivastav, the singer KK, the TV actor Sidharth Shukla, and others, have raised awareness of the condition. Ziqitza HealthCare remarks that according to data and evidence, the younger generation in India appears to be more susceptible than ever to dying from cardiovascular disease.
The statistics and numbers raise interesting questions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one-fifth of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide occurs in India. Sadly, the majority of these have an impact on younger people. Ziqitza points at the burden of disease study which states that India has 272 cardiovascular deaths for every 100,000 people, which is much higher than the global average of 235. According to studies, the younger generation accounted for 11.5% of heart attacks in the Covid era of 2020–2021.
Indian Hearts Lacking Care (IHL Care) conducted a survey of young people in cities all over India to better understand the risk of cardiovascular diseases among younger Indians. They came to the startling conclusion that 53% of Indians aged 26 to 40 are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Everyone in India needs to start taking cardiovascular disease seriously.
Heart attacks and deaths from cardiovascular disease can be avoided. Young Indians are particularly at risk, according to Ziqitza Healthcare, due to their extremely unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and high levels of stress. Around 30% of younger Indians were found to be obese in metro areas, which suggests that fast food and junk food high in refined grains, sugars, saturated fats, and calories are having a negative impact. Ziqitza Rajasthan goes on to say that because most jobs require long hours of work, there is little time for physical activity. Stress is on the rise as life in general becomes more complicated.
The quality of life can be significantly impacted by heart conditions. It’s crucial to understand how heart disease develops in order to prevent it and reduce your risk. Heart disease has a number of primary causes and risk factors, including:
High Blood Pressure: According to Ziqitza Limited, hypertensive heart disease is regarded as the main cause of death in people with high blood pressure. This condition encompasses a variety of heart conditions, such as ischemic heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure. Left ventricular hypertrophy, a condition where the heart muscles thicken, can result from untreated high blood pressure and raise the pressure on the heart. The heart’s ability to pump enough blood is hampered by this condition, which reduces the organs’ ability to receive enough oxygen.
High Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Early signs of heart problems can result from high cholesterol levels in the body. The coronary circulation of the heart is impacted by hypertension and artery wall thickening, both of which are risk factors for various heart conditions. According to Ziqitza, high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol can cause clogged arteries, which can cause additional complications.
Smoking: In India, smoking is one of the main contributors to heart disease. Smoking can raise triglycerides in the blood, make the blood thick and sticky, and increase the likelihood that it will clot.
Drinking too much Alcohol: As harmless as it may seem, drinking too much alcohol can eventually cause a number of different heart issues. Serious heart conditions like cardiomyopathy and an irregular heartbeat can result from it.
Obesity: According to Ziqitza, one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease in both adults and children is obesity. High cholesterol levels are a sign of obesity. Patients are more likely to experience health issues as a result of clogged arteries as a result. Obesity can also cause diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can result in congested hearts.
High Levels of Stress and Anxiety: People who frequently experience panic or anxiety attacks are more likely to develop heart-related disorders. Additionally, depression lowers blood flow to the heart and raises the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. At first, this might not result in any heart issues. However, over time, it might lead to an increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Ziqitza HealthCare suggests that Indian youth must prioritise their health. It is necessary to be aware of healthy lifestyle choices and abstain from bad habits. Diets must be well-balanced and nutritious. Young India must prioritise getting some exercise and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.