Today, it is no longer an exception. In the past decade, when a person of 35 years had a heart attack , it was quite rare. In every emergency department in India, cardiologists have started seeing a growing number of patients in their 30s and 40s who suffer from serious coronary blockages, cardiac arrest, and heart attacks. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Vijay D’Silva, medical director, White Lotus International Hospital, and clinical advisor and mentor, Heartnet India, decodes the growing risk among those in their 30s and 40s.
There is evidence that Indians tend to store visceral adipose tissue and exhibit metabolic abnormalities at a much lower body mass. This is the reason why an individual with ‘normal’ body mass may still be at a significant risk for cardiovascular disease. The biggest misconception is: “I am too young to have heart disease. This sometimes leads to undetected heart symptoms. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
In the Indian population, cardiovascular screening must start as early as age 20, especially when there is a family history of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and stressful life.
“South Asians have a higher genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease and often develop it 5–10 years earlier than many Western populations,” highlighted Dr Vijay.
