Doctors said – stressful situation was the reason behind singer KK heart attack. Sadly, Singer K.K. died of a heart attack recently. It was a great loss for all of us. Furthermore, in September 2021 we lost Siddhart Shukla due to a heart attack. So, the question here is, what are the reasons behind heart attacks, and what precautions we can keep in mind to prevent heart attacks.
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Reasons for getting a heart attack at a young age
In the past, heart attacks mainly affected older individuals. Heart attacks were very rare among people under the age of 40. The average age of heart attack patients under 40 is now 1 in 5.
The following troubling fact highlights the problem: Having a heart attack in your 20s or early 30s is more common. This age group had an increase in heart attack incidents by 2% every year between 2000-2016.
Just because you are younger doesn’t mean your outlook is better after a heart attack. People under the age of 40 who experience a heart attack are at the same risk as those over 60. If you have a heart attack, you have the same chance of dying from a second heart attack or stroke regardless of your age.
Following are the 6 major reasons for getting a heart attack at a young age;
- Genetic reasons
- Eating fewer fruits and vegetables
- No exercise or doing a more intense workout
- Smoking
- High protein diet
- Drinking less water
- High blood pressure or diabetes
1. Family history of heart attack
A family history of medical conditions is inherited or genetic and is caused by changes in genes passed from generation to generation. Heart diseases can be inherited in many different ways. For example, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (blockages in the arteries that provide blood to the heart) are often inherited conditions but may be the result of a combination of genetic changes that each have a subtle impact but work together to produce disease. Genetic testing is not yet available in these situations. Some lesser-known inherited heart diseases are caused by only one or very few genetic changes that are very strong contributors to their development.
Hence, if your family has a history of heart attack then you are also at a high risk of it.
Tip: Get your blood work done every year and keep a check on your cholesterol levels.
2. Eating fewer fruits and vegetables could be one of the major reasons for heart attack at a young age
Preliminary results from the study, presented on June 8, 2019, at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, indicate that an insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables might contribute to millions of deaths worldwide due to heart disease and stroke.
According to a study, one in seven cardiovascular deaths can be attributed to eating too little fruit, while one in 12 is caused by eating too little vegetables. However, these figures only reflect deaths caused by inadequate nutrition – not the wide range of health issues, including disability and pain, that heart disease and stroke can cause.
Tip: Try to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
3. No exercise or doing a more intense workout
Even those with no other risk factors can develop heart disease if they don’t get enough physical activity. Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes type 2 are also at greater risk for developing heart disease. Living a sedentary lifestyle and having no routine in life increases the risk of a heart attack.
Furthermore, the study found evidence that high-intensity exercise can acutely increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death in individuals with underlying cardiac disease. This can also increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders, especially for the minority who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or coronary heart disease.
Tip: There should be a balance between your workout routine and giving your body proper rest and time to recover.
4. Smoking could be a major reason for heart attack at a young age
The risk of heart disease increases by 2 to 4 times for people who smoke. The risk is even greater for women who smoke and also take birth control pills.
People who live near you are also adversely affected by cigarette smoke. Those who don’t smoke can be harmed by secondhand smoke by developing heart disease or lung cancer.
What are the causes of a heart attack at a young age by smoking?
Smoke contains nicotine:
- Your heart gets less oxygen as a result
- Blood pressure is raised
- Makes you feel more energetic
- Increasing the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes
- Damage to the inside of blood vessels, including those in the heart
What are the benefits of quitting smoking?
If you stop, you’ll have a lower risk of heart disease or high blood pressure. Within one or two years of not smoking, you will experience much less heart disease risk.
5. High protein diet
In recent years, the topic of protein intake has been controversial. It may seem like a good idea to eat a protein-rich diet, but studies have found that too much protein, especially from certain sources, can harm the body long-term. Those who consume a high-protein diet are slightly more likely to develop heart disease in middle age, reports a study from the University of Eastern Finland. There are, however, some proteins that are better than others.
6. Drinking less water
According to a study published in the American Journal of Medical Epidemiology, participants “Water drinkers have a lower risk of death from coronary artery disease if they consume five glasses of plain water or more a day. Drinking before bed is even more important since it helps improve sleep than drinking before sleep.” People who drink less than two glasses per day risk a host of health problems.”
Can heat and humidity trigger a heart attack?
According to many experts, high heat and dehydration can cause damage to the heart, but it is not very common. Nowadays the younger population is more prone to heart attacks.
Heat stroke can increase problems in people suffering from to pre-existing heart disease.
Tips to prevent heart attack
- Identify your genes.
- 45 minutes of brisk walk 4-5 times a week.
- Keep good control of your diet.
- Doing pranayama and yoga 3-4 times a week will manage the cholesterol levels in your body.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
6. Manage your stress levels.
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