These days heart attacks are no longer confined to older people. The sudden death owing to a heart attack of a young friend or family member has become a frequent news flash these days. What is more stupefying is that seemingly fit people are not guaranteed a clean chit from falling prey to heart attacks.
To begin with, the heart gets its oxygen supply from the blood flowing through it. When this blood supply is severely curtailed or discontinued due to a narrowed or blocked artery, it gives rise to a heart attack.
Narrowing of arteries can occur due to fat, cholesterol, or other deposits that are together termed as ‘plaque’. During an attack, the damage is determined by the area that is supplied by that particular artery and the time lapse between the attack and treatment.
Early signs of a heart attack include squeezing pressure in the chest or arm, pain in the arm, jaw neck, or back, heartburn, nausea, cold sweats, or unusual fatigue, and unfortunately, that may easily be overlooked upon or go veiled off for any other medical condition.
That being said, the American Heart Association says ‘chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, no matter your sex assigned at birth or your gender identity. However, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more likely to experience some of the less obvious symptoms.
Coupling that with the common misconception that women are less likely to have heart attacks is a recipe for danger.’
The contemporary lifestyle of youth these days is a huge predisposing factor to heart attacks. Sitting in front of the screen and not noticing hours pass by, consumption of ultra-processed or instant foods, substance use, smoking and not to mention coupled with type 2 diabetes go hand in hand.
As per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “high blood sugar and high blood pressure can pre-tick the alarm for a heart attack sooner. High blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels and nerve supply to the heart; likewise, high blood pressure exerts additional pressure on the vessels, triggering damage.”
Likewise, mental health issues are on the rise and cannot be shrugged off as susceptible causes of heart attacks. The constant mental health battles confining one to chronic anxiety, and depression become building blocks over time for constituting a heart attack.
As per research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, younger adults with poor mental health and depression are closely associated with heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues.
When we come to prevention tips about following a healthier diet and exercising, at times some of us go too far in achieving those goals. Some fitness enthusiasts and influencers promoting stricter and starvation diets in the name of health are not so healthy for the heart.
Likewise, a well-defined musculature is not an assurance for preventing a heart attack. People exercise rigorously and heavily to attain certain muscle packs, again a huge turndown by cardiac experts.
So, what is the best form of exercise for a healthy heart?
The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine both recommend combining aerobic exercise (jogging, swimming and biking) with resistance training (moderate weightlifting). Together, these two categories of exercise produce the greatest benefit for preventing and managing heart disease.
Henceforth, stay vigilant to any unusual development in the body, pay heed to a relevant and healthier lifestyle, and chop off the stress factors and you will see your heart smile.
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