A five-year-old girl, Kamini, died of a heart attack while watching cartoons on mobile phone at Hathaikheda of Hasanpur Kotwali in UP’s Amroha district recently. An 18-year-old college student from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, collapsed to his death after a heart attack during a coaching session.
This is a very dangerous trend. Traditionally, people above the age of 50 were known to be vulnerable to heart attacks. But now, studies suggest that the heart attack rate is gradually increasing in young adults. People who have had a heart attack in their 20s or 30s are at higher risk for life-threatening cardiovascular events.
A heart attack in someone under the age of 40 was extremely uncommon, but now one in every five-heart attack patient is under the age of 40. Youngsters under the age of 20s are becoming vulnerable to cardiac arrest. The death of a five-year-old due to heart attack indicates that the situation on ground is perhaps even more alarming than we perceive it to be.
Understanding the common factors increasing one’s risk of developing heart complications at such young age is essential to get hold of the condition. The rise in childhood obesity is one of the major risk factors that raise the risk of heart disease in children. Factors that add to childhood obesity include unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and of course stress.
With the proliferation of technology and electronic devices, many children are leading sedentary lives, which automatically adds to the high risk of heart complications. Some common factors that increase risks are long screen time, constant binge-watching TV and lack of interest in outdoor games reduce physical activity among children, leading to high risks of heart problems.
Limiting screen time and encouraging physical activity among children is essential to improve their lifestyle and contributes to overall heart health.
Nowadays, the choice of food of kids is another factor, putting them at risk of developing cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks. Fried food, intake of soda or sugary beverages have a direct impact on health.
While lifestyle choices are a key contributor that increases the risk of developing heart complications in children, some rare genetic factors can also predispose children to heart attacks. Identifying inherited conditions in time is critical to manage the condition and prevent adverse cardiac events in children.
Stress is another critical factor that is taking its toll on children. With more academic pressure and too much emphasis on hobby classes, children are increasingly overburdened and enjoy less free time in general to indulge in outdoor sports, which are natural stress busters.
Chronic stress results in the release of stress hormones into the bloodstream, leading to shrinkage of the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart muscles. In such cases, the individual can suffer a heart attack or a heart failure.
While we lament the changing habits of children and their growing detachment towards outdoor sports, the question arises, where are the playgrounds? They are constantly losing their playground as urbanisation. We have our priorities towards making smart cities, but there is scope to have playgrounds for children in our town planning. With no playgrounds available, where are the children supposed to play? The neighbourhoods have high intolerance towards noise created by children playing on the streets.
The solution lies in medical and social approach.
Parents need to identify the symptoms of heart complications in children is essential for early detection and timely intervention. Common signs like chest pain or discomfort, difficulty in breathing, fatigue and weakness, dizziness or fainting, poor weight gain or rapid weight loss are some of the key symptoms of a possible heart attack.
While symptoms can differ from individual to individual due to several reasons, getting tested in time is essential before things turn severe. Addressing heart attacks or complications in children requires a comprehensive approach. Encourage healthy habits among children. Better and improved habits can reduce one’s risk of developing heart-related complications. Therefore, it is the responsibility of schools, parents and guardians at large to encourage a balanced diet and active lifestyle among children to improve the quality of their life.
While prevention is the key to prevent damage, being aware of the symptoms is a must. Routine health check-ups are crucial even in children to ensure their healthy development, identify potential risks early and ensure better heart and overall health.
Being proactive and staying vigilant about a child’s well-being can significantly reduce their likelihood of developing heart complications or heart attacks.
The schools have to reduce the burden of academics and ensure more time to play and enjoy their childhood. Parents have to also cut down on hobby classes and multiple tuitions.
Society has to change its mindset to save our children. We all are responsible for protecting children’s right to live. We can’t burden the children with our aspirations. It is unfair to expect them to do what we didn’t achieve in our lifetime.