In an interview with Dr. Subhendu Mohanty, head and senior consultant, cardiologist, cardiac arrest and heart attack are becoming more common in the younger age group than they were 10-15 years ago. And it has risen so much so that cases of heart attacks in the age of 18 and 20 have also been encountered.
CAUSES
The doctor discussed three major reasons for the increased risk of heart attacks at an early age. The first being the increased prevalence of smoking in young people. Secondly, it is high mental stress in one's profession. And thirdly, because of the decrease in physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle that most of us lead.
**People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels should regularly consult a doctor.
5 PREVENTIVE WAYS
1. Quit smoking. Smoking has to be completely stopped. Even one cigarette a day can develop heart attacks.
2. Physical Activity. Regular physical activity of at least 30 mins, five days a week should be carried out, including cardio such as cycling, running, swimming, etc. On the other hand, lifting excess weights does not work well for your heart. Using low weights upto five kilos is fine. But while heavier weights can help build bulky muscle, they may put pressure on the heart.
3. Eat Healthily. Including 200-250 gm raw vegetables and fruits every day in your diet can significantly improve your heart condition and overall health. The amount of salt intake should also be reduced. And it is advised to avoid empty sugars like soft drinks totally.
4. Take good care of your mental health. There is no quantification of how much stress a person has, because of which it gets ignored frequently. If necessary, talk to a psychiatrist or start taking counseling when it starts taking a toll on your physical health.
5. Take a break from work. Spend some quality time with family and friends and take a break from work. There is nothing better than the home, is what they say. And friends are always there for fun. So start spending time with the people that take that stress of work away from you. Remember watching TV does not really count as a break because you may still be thinking about work.
These are just a few preventive measures that can be taken. But a person above the age of 35 is always recommended to have a heart check-up now and then. And any uneasiness in breathing or pain in the chest should immediately be reported and admitted to the hospital. Heart attacks are no more a condition of older people but also the younger ones.
It is just a matter of few minutes for a heart attack to come and thereby suddenly lose the life. Life is too short to live. Stay healthy and enjoy it's every second.
Prevention is better than cure. So take the preventive measures for yourself and also for your family members. And regular heart checks up should be done to find any early symptoms of heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Thanks for your information
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