Mumbai: The general belief is that older adults die of heart disease. What is less known is that worldwide, the disease does not spare young adults either. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) has tried ascertain the reasons for youth susceptibility to heart disease and the reasons that put them at risk. “Around 5,000 young adults from the age of 18-30 years were a part of this study and were monitored for up to 15 years to learn what caused them to acquire heart disease,” said a doctor, who was part of the study.
Dr Zakia Khan, interventional cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, said youths who smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day have a 50 per cent chance of developing heart disease. A rise in cholesterol levels can irk heart rates and the risk increases by 50 per cent; rise in blood pressure levels increases the risk by up to 30 per cent. “The increase in heart disease in younger adults is caused due to smoking, stress (work and non-work related), unhealthy diet, lack of sufficient physical activity and excess consumption of salt and packaged foods, in some cases,” said Dr Khan.
He also said to curb these issues, they first need to understand how to minimise these triggers. Parents should help their child maintain a healthy diet and motivate them to exercise regularly, so that they can control high blood pressure issues, which are quite common among those who are overweight. “Parents should warn them about the dangers of smoking and the effects nicotine has on the blood vessels, causing them to narrow, making it harder for the blood to flow,” added Dr Khan.
When efforts to control diet and increase the child’s physical activity fail to lower his/her blood pressure, a physician should be consulted immediately. According to a cardiologist, the numbers are not going to decrease unless drastic steps are taken. He attributes the problem to a sedentary lifestyle. “Today’s youth is mentally, as well as physically stressed. A major solution to this is drastic lifestyle modification. Only this will help prevent premature heart attacks,” he says.
Health experts insist, we must learn to eat healthier, instead of giving into the temptation of junk food. It may seem difficult to do so but in reality, it is a matter of self-control. Adopting good eating habits will take care of you for a lifetime. It is your life and you live only once. Try and make time to organise, prioritise and balance your life. “Take up either yoga or any dance form or exercise regime that is therapeutic and helps keep you physically and mentally healthy,” the heart doctor advises.
