Lifestyle change makes youngsters vulnerable to heart diseases

Earlier, the notion was that the heart diseases are prevalent among those who have crossed 50 years of age, but nowadays an exceptional rise is noticed amongst those below 40 years of age as well. Although, there is awareness about the heart ailments, there is a lack of prevention amongst the young generation. It is affecting people from various sections of society as well, rural and urban population included.

When Thane resident Anuj Saraf learnt that his 35-year-old younger brother died of a heart attack, he was shocked to react. "I had spoken to my brother a night prior to his demise over the phone and we discussed about how fetching a new job will relieve him of some stress. The next morning, I got the call of his demise and I was told that he died of a heart attack. I was very shocked and I wondered if he was under pressure at work, but the doctors said that it was his smoking habits and lack of physical activity that led to him being unable to handle the pressure and stress," says Saraf with moist eyes.

The comfortable, sedentary lifestyle and the packaged food that is easily available at supermarkets are leading to an increase in heart disease among the current generation. "Youngsters are addicted to smoking, junk food and to add to it the pressures of an urban lifestyle, stress at work and lack of any kind of exercise leads to obesity and hypertension which in turn increases the incidences of heart attack," says Dr Hasmukh Ravat, HOD Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Mulund.

"Our population is showing a change in dietary patters. With the traditional complex carbohydrate rich diet getting replaced with high proportion of fats. The globalistion of food production and marketing is also contributing to the energy and fat-rich foods. There has been a study which clearly states that the food habit has been widely affected, thereby increasing the risk factors for heart diseases including blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose level, smoking, inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity," adds Rawat.

However, the doctors suggest that some changes in our daily living can make great change to our health and even keep our heart healthy and young. Nutritious food, avoiding excessive alcohol intake and cigarettes are few things that can be ensured for a healthy heart. Being physically active, watching your weight and getting regular check-up with the doctor will help keep your heart healthy and misery at bay.