Shocking videos of young people collapsing due to heart attacks have surfaced on twitter, spreading concern among netizens. In one such video, the bride suffered from a cardiac arrest minutes after exchanging garlands on stage at her wedding. In another video, a 25-year-old man who is said to have gone out for a walk with his friends died on the spot after a heart attack. Similarly, a Jabalpur bus driver collapsed while driving due to a heart attack, killing many others on the moving bus.
As a result, the hashtag #heartattack has been trending on social media. But while these terrifying instances have sparked great fear for one's health, it is important to understand why there have been a rising number of heart attack cases among young people.
Why more and more young people are collapsing due to heart disease
For a long time, heart attack has been considered a disease of the older adults, those aged 50 and above.
However, young people are becoming more prone than ever. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people is this genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to grow too thick. The thickening makes it hard for the heart to pump blood and can cause fast heartbeats, the health body further explains.
Apart from that, experts believe cardiovascular diseases are often linked to stress and anxiety, not to mention an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle play a significant role in increasing one's risk.
That said, there are a lot of preventive measures young people take to prevent a heart attack.
A heart healthy diet is essential
Eating a healthy diet is the key to preventing heart diseases. One must avoid eating oily, processed, fatty foods that can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to a stroke or a heart attack.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, whole grain, avocados, fatty fishes are some of the heart-healthy foods to add to your diet. These foods also help maintain a healthy weight.
Be physically active
Even if it means going out for a 30 minute walk, do it! Being physically active is the key to preventing any chronic illnesses. Your body needs some exercise. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of dying, either from heart disease or other medical problems.
Stress is unavoidable but managing it may help
In a fast-paced life, stress is inevitable. However, how you manage your stress levels can play a significant role in preventing heart diseases. Some of the ways are by getting plenty of sleep, doing regular exercise and indulging in yoga and meditation. You can also take part in your favorite hobbies, can do gardening, reading, listen to music, podcasts, whatever soothes your senses.
Give up on unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking
A clear link has been established between how regular drinking and smoking can put a strain on one's heart muscles, leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
These unhealthy habits could damage heart tissues before symptoms appear. As per a study reported by the American Heart Association (AHA), too much alcohol intake can increase the risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attack, arrhythmias, stroke and death. Similarly, smoking cigarettes can permanently damage your heart and blood vessels.
That said, it is best to cut down on alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Regular health screenings can prevent chronic illnesses
Getting your health screenings regularly can help detect chronic illnesses on time. This is a major step towards not only preventing chronic illnesses, but treating the ones already existing from advancing into a life-threatening stage.
