Elsa Angel Rose
With no regard for age, children as young as eight, as well as those in their thirties and forties, are succumbing to cardiovascular diseases and the eventual loss of life. Sudden deaths of young people who are under the age of 50 have seen an unprecedented rise, especially in recent times. Lifestyle factors, family history, and more serve as the primary factors, with many other relevant reasons. However, let’s not entirely lose hope, as there is good news: heart diseases are easily treatable today, when diagnosed early. So this World Heart Health Day, let’s vow to be more aware of the early symptoms, preventive measures, and other significant aspects to protect our hearts.
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Why Are More Youngsters Suffering Heart Attacks?
“Today’s youth are living a lifestyle that is extremely atherogenic (tending to promote the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries). It promotes blockage in the vessels of the heart,” shared Dr Jyoti Kusnur, Cardiologist at Manipal Hospital. Lifestyle habits play a major role in many coronary diseases. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are the top reasons. Sedentary work styles can aggravate the risks of developing heart disease. Dr Jyoti said, “Spending long hours in front of screens, diminishing outdoor activity, and reliance on fast food or app-based food delivery are part of the problem. The vast majority of these foods are high in fat, salt, sugar, and refined ingredients that directly raise cholesterol and blood pressure and elevate blood sugar, all of which harm the heart.” According to her, Lack of sleep, too much late-night social media, and disrupted circadian rhythms spew stress hormones that promote blood vessel damage and clog arteries. Lack of physical activity only compounds the risk.
Sudden cardiac arrest in youngsters
“Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is rare in young people during exercise, with rates varying from about 1 in 200,000 to 1 in 1 million athletes annually,” said Dr Nikhil Niranjan Sontakke, cardiologist at Manipal Hospital. Despite its rarity, it is a leading cause of death in young athletes and often the first sign of a previously undiagnosed heart condition, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or a congenital heart defect. According to him, factors like sex, race, and the type of sport can influence risk, with males and athletes of African or Afro-Caribbean origin facing higher risks in certain sports like basketball and soccer.
When it comes to sudden cardiac arrest in youngsters, most cases are caused by congenital or inherited heart conditions that are often silent before an arrest occurs. He explained, “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a common cause, where the heart muscle thickens, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Coronary Artery Anomalies involve the abnormal position or structure of the heart’s blood vessels. Dehydration and heavy sweating can deplete essential minerals like potassium and sodium, disrupting the heart’s electrical signals, causing electrolyte imbalances.” Athletes with little to no background in systematic training have a higher risk.
Heart attacks aren’t always a death sentence. With timely help, most people can survive and recover well. In fact, the data show that even those with severe heart attacks have a survival rate of over 99% if they reach the hospital in time and receive treatments like primary angioplasty. The key lies in knowing the signs and acting fast.
Recognising the Early Signs of Heart Trouble
Heart attacks are often wrongly seen as abrupt occurrences, but in reality, they usually develop gradually, with warning symptoms appearing over the course of weeks or even months. “Patients may experience mild, fleeting chest pains, heartburn, or unusual fatigue, or become winded climbing stairs or during a workout, but write them off as inconsequential. These intermittent symptoms related to exercise periods should not be ignored,” Dr Jyoti said.
How we address these signals is not to dismiss them. According to the cardiologist, even mild symptoms should be evaluated with an ECG. She noted, “Prevention also entails embracing healthy habits, consistent cardio-based exercise like jogging or walking briskly outdoors (in addition to physical reasons, it’s better for heart health than simply muscle training in a gym). A balanced diet, sufficient sleep, stress adjustment, and getting regular health exams.”
Understanding the Thin Line between SCA and SCD
“Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition where the heart unexpectedly stops pumping blood, leading to an immediate loss of consciousness and normal breathing. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the outcome when someone with SCA does not survive. In essence, SCA is a sudden medical event, while SCD is the fatal result of that event if successful resuscitation efforts like CPR and defibrillation are not performed quickly and effectively,” Dr Nikhil Niranjan Sontakke shared.
Heart Health Starts Here
Cardio Training: Zumba, dance fitness, and aerobic workouts to safely elevate heart rate.
Dynamic Movements: Jumping jacks, burpees, and high knees to improve cardiovascular endurance.
Lifestyle Education: Promoting balanced nutrition, proper hydration, and quality rest for heart health.
Stress Relief: Fun, energetic sessions that help reduce stress and boost overall mental well-being.
The tips are shared by Priyanshi Naik, a certified fitness trainer from St Inez, Panjim.
Did you know?
The latest Sample Registration Survey (SRS) under the Registrar General of India shows that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India, accounting for nearly 31%.
Deaths from heart attacks in Goa have steadily increased, from 4,100 in 2016 to 4,663 in 2024. In 2024, the rural areas of Goa accounted for the majority of these deaths, with more men affected than women.
In Goa, about 15% of children aged 10‑19 have high bad (LDL) cholesterol, the highest rate in India for that age group.
