New Delhi. Although heart disease has traditionally been associated with old age, physicians are now witnessing a disturbing rise in heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests among people in their twenties and thirties. This shift is driving a call for earlier screening and proactive lifestyle measures.
Prevention Begins Long Before Symptoms Appear
Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Shriram Nene warns that waiting for a heart attack to initiate care is a dangerous strategy. He emphasizes a three‑pronged approach: preventing disease, recognizing early warning signs, and seeking timely medical evaluation.
Dr. Naresh Trehan, chief cardiac surgeon at Medanta, advises anyone with a family history of heart disease or diabetes to start screening before turning 25. Those without such a background should discuss appropriate check‑ups with their doctor by age 30. Advances such as genome sequencing can uncover inherited susceptibilities, while clinicians combine family history, lab results, and lifestyle information to calculate overall risk.
Diet and Lifestyle Under the Microscope
Prof. Monica Arora, vice‑president of the Research and Health Promotion Division at the Public Health Foundation of India, links the escalating heart‑disease burden to a rapid shift away from traditional Indian meals toward processed and junk foods, which erode cardiovascular health.
All tobacco products—cigarettes, gutka, and other smokeless forms—remain leading culprits. Newer habits like vaping and nicotine‑laden e‑cigarettes also pose serious threats to heart function.
According to Dr. Amit Gupta of the Global Metabolic Health Alliance, tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight is essential. Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, and fatty liver dramatically increase the likelihood of a cardiac event.
Instilling Healthy Habits Early
The surge in childhood obesity has alarmed pediatricians, who now urge families to embed weight‑management practices from a young age. Consistent physical activity and balanced nutrition lay the foundation for a heart‑healthy life.
For adults, regular monitoring of glucose, blood pressure, and weight, strict adherence to prescribed medication, and periodic consultations with healthcare providers remain indispensable.
“Protecting the heart is a lifelong commitment, not a reaction to an emergency,” the experts conclude.
