Dr Ambuj Roy, professor of cardiology of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, explained in detail the main reasons behind the rise in heart attack and cardiac arrest cases in the younger generation.
Forty-year-old Siddharth Shukla's death has left many shocked. The actor and Big Boss Season-13 winner died with initial reports suggesting heart attack as the cause of his death on Thursday.
Heart-related ailments among young Indians recently have become a concern for health experts. The issue is being debated why there has been a surge in heart attack cases in relatively younger age groups in India.
In an exclusive interview to India Today, Dr Ambuj Roy, professor of cardiology of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, explained in detail the main reasons behind the rise in heart attack and cardiac arrest cases in the younger generation.
Dr Roy emphasised that mental stress, physical health and other reasons were linked to rising cases of heart disorders among young Indians. Excerpts:
IT: Why are these deaths happening in people who exercise and eat healthy too?
Dr Roy: Exercising is not the only thing. Stress is driving more and more people into alcohol and drugs. People exercise but to release stress, they end up smoking and drugs abuse. The hormone changes happening in the body due to these are directly linked to heart disorders.
IT: How much of a role do stress and mental health play when we speak of heart attacks?
Dr Roy: Mental health is equally important. We are so driven in our lives and jobs and in general. Our lifestyle is very stressful.
Many people are working long hours around the clock without realising that they have not given time to their own physical and mental health.
It is the pressure to prove oneself in the professional life that is also leading to this high-voltage lifestyle where little time is given to personal health.
IT: Is genetic predisposition or family history also a factor?
Dr Roy: Asians are more predisposed to having cardiac disorders due to our genes. And, there is nothing we can do about it. One of the reasons is the genetic formation. Hence, young people in our country are facing heart attacks more than our western counterparts.
IT: What can people do to prevent these disorders?
Dr Roy: Get regular health check-ups. Avoid smoking to release stress. Avoid drugs abuse. Take care of mental health through meditation and yoga. One needs to 'slow down' to check our lifestyle habits.