DNA Explainer: Actor Sidharth Shukla dies at 40 - Why heart attacks are rising among young Indians

Celebrated TV actor Siddharth Shukla lost his life after suffering from a heart attack on Thursday morning, September 2, 2021. The untimely demise of a talented and young actor, who was one of the most recognisable personalities from the hit reality TV show Big Boss' stable, has stunned his millions of admirers.

OMG!!! This is So Shocking!!! Words will fail to describe the shock and sense of loss of his near and dear ones !!! May he res in peace !!! No yaar !!!! https://t.co/HmcF1ppJFX

— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) September 2, 2021

In recent years, a number of famous TV and film personalities have suffered from fatal cardiac arrests in their 30s and 40s. The list includes Rituparno Ghosh (aged 49), Raj Kaushal (49), Vivek Shauq (47), Amit Mistry (47), Inder Kumar (44), Abir Goswami (37) and Aarthi Agarwal (31).

The sad untimely demise due to cardiac arrest, colloquially called a heart attack, is a phenomenon being witnessed at large in India.

While heart attacks were a danger attached mostly to older adults till a couple of decades ago, the 21^st century has brought about a rise in untimely heart attacks in people under 50 years, particularly in India.

Young Indians are at an increased risk of heart attacks

A 2005 study published in the Vascular Health journal by Indian researchers Meenakshi Sharma and Nirmal Kumar Ganguly stated that young Indians falling in the age group of 35 to 45 years are more susceptible to premature Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and can die 10 to 15 years earlier in comparison to similar aged populations around the world.

Cardiologists believe that Indians suffer from cardiac arrests at least 20 years before their western counterparts on an average.

What is causing untimely heart attacks in Indians?

The causes, as per cardiologists, range from genetic to lifestyle related.

Several Indian families have a history of a cluster of health issues that can accelerate heart diseases – abdominal obesity, high fasting blood sugar or diabetes, like low good cholesterol and high triglycerides. Together, these are called the metabolic syndrome.

Several Indians suffer from cholesterol problems because of the tendency to have low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. In comparison, Caucasians tend to have a higher HDL. This skewed lipid proportion could be an issue.

As per some cardiologists, the Indian morphology being slightly smaller could also be linked.

Other causes can include sedentary lifestyle, consumption of food rich in carbohydrates, high mental stress levels, consumption of energy drinks, alcohol, or tobacco and sleep deprivation and irregular sleeping patterns.

What can be done about it?

It is recommended that one undergoes regular complete lipid profile and fasting blood glucose tests, every five years between 20 to 40 and then annually after 40.

If one gets abnormal readings, seek dietary advice and tips to change the lifestyle with exercise and new habits. Make heart health screening an annual occurrence.

On a general basis, managing the level of sugar, salt and different types of fat in our daily diets can also help. While excessive sugar and saturated fat in diet can lead to obesity and increased bad cholesterol in the blood, excessive consumption of salt can lead to hypertension, increasing the stress on the heart which causes damage.

It is never too early to begin taking care of your heart. As cardiologists say, preventing a heart attack boils down to minimising the risk.