Are you ignoring these silent signs?, heart attack, prevention, risk factors, health, sudden heart attacks, cardiac arrest, death, news

What’s causing these sudden heart attacks?

According to Dr Ajay Kaul, Chairman of Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital, Noida, a sudden heart attack often points to hidden heart problems like coronary artery disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These can usually be detected early through routine medical screenings.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition that affects the heart muscle. People with this condition may be at risk of fatal arrhythmias, especially if they engage in intense physical activity without knowing the state of their heart health.

“Exercise can trigger fatal arrhythmias in these individuals,” said Dr Kaul.

“Undertaking strenuous physical activity — such as gymming — without knowing what one’s heart is capable of, can increase stress on the walls of the ventricles, potentially decreasing blood flow and oxygen supply, and contributing to sudden cardiac death.”

That’s why he strongly recommends a thorough medical check-up before starting any heavy fitness routine, so one can understand which exercises are safe.

Real-life cases trigger concerns

Recent incidents have highlighted this growing concern. In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a 45-year-old man collapsed and died while dancing with his wife at their 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Earlier this month, a 35-year-old man suffered a heart attack while driving a state-run bus in Karnataka’s Mysuru district, according to a report by The Hindu.

Why are young people at risk too?

Public health researcher Vikash Keshri, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, Australia, pointed out that while the risk factors for heart disease remain the same for both young and older people, more young people are now showing early signs of these conditions.

However, he noted that many in urban areas don’t take advantage of public health services or go for regular health screenings.

Doctors agree that a healthy lifestyle plays a key role in preventing heart disease. While some risk factors — like a family history of heart issues or air pollution — cannot be avoided, many others can.

Bad habits like smoking, eating junk food, drinking alcohol, and not exercising all contribute to coronary artery disease, said Dr Kaul.

Indians are genetically more vulnerable

Dr Saptarshi Bhattacharya, a senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Delhi, explained that Indians are more genetically prone to heart disease than Europeans or Americans.

He said, “So, while we may not appear obese or overweight, we still have a higher fat percentage, especially in the abdominal area, setting us up for multiple complications, including diabetes.”

Poor sleep adds to the problem

Lack of proper sleep can also make things worse. Dr Sanjay Saxena, Principal Director and Head of the Neurology Department at Max Hospitals in New Delhi and Ghaziabad, said poor sleep affects the body’s natural repair system.

He warned that sleeping less than six hours or not following a natural sleep-wake cycle can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation in the blood vessels, and insulin resistance — all of which raise the risk of heart attacks.

He also advised people suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea — a common sleep disorder — to get treated, as it too increases the chances of heart complications.

Public health programmes need better reach

Experts stressed the need for stronger implementation of government health programmes. The ‘National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke’ (NPCDCS), launched in 2010, focuses on early detection and improving healthcare facilities.

Keshri pointed out that while the rural setup has a clear system for screening and treatment up to district hospitals or medical colleges, there is a lack of similar infrastructure in urban areas.

On an individual level, experts recommend adding more movement into your daily routine. Simple actions — like getting off one metro station early to walk or choosing stairs over lifts — can make a difference.

Dr Kaul added that awareness about physical activity should start at an early age.

“It is important we start right in childhood. Lifestyle lessons and healthy behaviours need to be reinforced in schools and colleges,” said Dr Bhattacharya.

Many health issues that show up in adulthood, he explained, are often the result of 20–30 years of poor habits and metabolic problems in the background.