Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization. In India, 1 in 4 men under 40 reportedly experience heart attack, as per the Indian Heart Association. The age bar is going lower every year. On World Heart Day, three survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s recall the warning signs they dismissed and the habits they wish they had changed sooner.
Over four out of five CVD-related deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
Since it was winter, I assumed the cold wind was to blame and ignored it. Looking back, I had several unhealthy habits: frequent outside food, heavy smoking, drinking socially and almost no exercise. My life has since changed completely. I had none of the symptoms we usually associate with a heart attack, such as arm pain, chest pain or breathlessness. I just felt uneasy. My lifestyle changed completely. I now eat low-salt, low-oil food, stay active and take my medication seriously.
On December 15, 2023, I was riding my bike from Dwarka to Noida when I developed unusual jaw pain. I watch my diet, follow a proper sleep routine and aim for at least 10,000 steps a day. It happened after a late-night flight in May 2025, when I was 33. Around 2.30am, something felt off, but I thought I was simply exhausted and tried to sleep. In hindsight, I wish I had made time for even 30 minutes of fitness a day and taken regular health check-ups more seriously.
