Written By: Dr. Karan Pal Singh Chahal
Consultant - Cardiology
Sohana Hospital, Mohali.
Experience: 10+ Years
Published : December 5, 2024
Last Updated: December 5, 2024
Heart attack is not just for an older adult disease anymore! Doctors are seeing frequent heart attacks even among the younger generation, stating epigenetics and unethical means are becoming the major triggers of heart attacks.
Today, we all hear stories of young people suffering from sudden heart attacks and that too at a younger age. The reasons could be many but it signifies a wake-up call for those who are being negligent about this troubling trend.
Knowing what has transpired in recent years about heart problems has now become a growing concern seen in every age group. Thus, understanding this rising misfortune has become crucial. Let's know the underlying cause behind the increasing heart attack cases among youngsters. This article will help us identify where our society may have gone astray in managing the heart.
Sohana Hospital helps recognise heart disease symptoms early and commits to helping young people., offering the right education and treatment.
This article brings you essential information about why people are encountering frequent heart attacks. With the help of factual and scientific knowledge, our nearby heart hospital in Mohali helps you understand this. It will help you know the reasons for this shift while encouraging you to take preventive measures against it.
In previous times, it was considered unusual to encounter heart disease among people who are under their 40s, but in today’s age, many statistics are coming up to support this. Recent data on heart attack deaths from the National Crime Records Bureau states that the cases of heart attack rose from 28,413 in 2021 to 32,457 in 2022.
Another CDC report suggests 1 out of 5 deaths was found to be from cardiovascular diseases ( CVDs ) among adults who were younger than 65 years old.
In addition, India’s most advanced and modern city: Mumbai was also found with rising cases of heart attack in comparison to the previous year, encountering heart attack issues every 55 minutes.
This alarming data has led to a substantial rise in heart-related insurance claims, which accounted for 18- 20 % of total claims in 2024 and 9 to 12% of total claims in 2022.
Thus, to crack the hidden reasons behind this rising trend, we are going to dive deeper into why these cases are rising so frequently.
Dr. Harpreet S. Gilhotra, Director and HOD of Cardiology at Sohana Hospital, discussed two major factors contributing to this rise.
Discussing the link between age factors and heart attacks, Dr. Gilhotra clarifies that ageing does affect people who suffer from heart attacks but today in this time, young people are too facing issues of heart attack.
Highlighting two major causes of this rise, Dr. Gilhotra mentioned that epigenetic changes and unethical means of bodybuilding are two factors responsible for this.
Hence, to understand further, how young heart diseases are becoming a major problem among youngsters and how to take correct measurements against them, let’s first begin to understand shedding light on these technical terms that Dr. Gilhortra has discussed.
The term epigenetics is made with two words, epi which signifies above and genetics is the interplay of genes. Collectively it signifies things that work beyond genes and genetic level.
We all have our body’s working manual with instructions (DNA) that suggest the body for growth, repair, and staying healthy. Sometimes, this manual is being misread or misinterpreted, needing extra help from outside to function properly. This is where epigenetics comes in!
Epigenetics may interfere with the body’s natural intelligence guiding the body to work differently. It enters just to fit in with outside survival situations. It does not change the reading information but it changes the focus from processing information to how the information gets used. These are called epigenetic changes which heart attack doctor Dr Gilhotra points out, in the video.
And guess what? Some of the misread information is often linked to the major cause of heart problems. These changes can be triggered by different reasons which include stress, eating habits, and vigorous exercise that majorly comes from the environment.
Epigenetic changes don’t lead to change anything but influence the heart functioning which includes Abnormal heart rhythms and pumping. This is how epigenetic changes play a crucial part in the progression of cardiovascular disease. Thus, keeping our heart healthy by making it sync with a regular rhythm that nature has decided for our heart is what can prevent us from unnecessary epigenetic changes. Let’s learn further to protect our hearts from these changes.
As the doctor mentioned how deprived populations went through different stress levels, it is now time to come back to our instincts and harmonise with nature. Involvement of natural elements in our daily habits and lifestyle, will not trigger epigenetic changes in our body.
Healthy Diet
Regular Exercise
Manage Stress
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Get Enough Sleep
Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Stay Socially Connected
Regular Heart Check-ups
All of these initiatives and healthy indulgence can help us to get back with healthier and happier hearts.
Moving forward, let us understand the second major reason that the doctor mentioned: unethical behaviour. Let’s see how they lead to heart attacks, especially among younger populations.
In today’s fast-paced world, where instant results are often prioritized over long-term health, many people are inclined towards unethical shortcuts when it comes to achieving their life goals.
This trend is often encountered these days among youngsters and is now becoming a huge concern. The use of dangerous substances, such as steroids, stimulants, and growth hormone injections is misleading people while rapidly building muscle.
While all these methods may offer fast gains, it is also leading to strain and stress on the heart muscles. As Dr. Gilhotra explained, the use of such substances gives rise to Atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow.
It makes it hard for oxygen-rich blood to reach vital organs, posing a risk of experiencing heart problems. In addition, it’s not just the use of these substances that poses a risk, the intense exercise paired with them also puts additional stress on the heart, leading to heart strain. Thus, adopting a holistic and ethical approach towards fitness goals can save our hearts and overall well-being.
Therefore, coronary heart disease in young people demands great attention these days. By understanding these 2 most common factors, epigenetic changes and unethical fitness practices, we can now find solutions to our heart problems, especially among youngsters. Thus we must also be proactive in seeking regular heart checkups to proper heart treatments in order to maintain our heart health.
Sohana Hospital, India’s leading hospital for heart care is committed to helping individuals prevent and manage heart health issues. With the help of our established and dedicated Cardiology department that provides expert care, guidance, and support, we help give the best treatments. Through our specialised cardiac OTs, designed to ensure optimum cardiac functioning and safety, we maximize our support system through a greater level of expertise of cardiologist in Mohali and advanced technologies which include-
Heart Lung Machine
Cardiac ICU
Ultra-modern 24×7 Cath Lab
Cardiac Operation Theaters
Cardiac Anesthesiologists
Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeons (CTVS)
In addition to giving reliable treatment, we also encourage people to stay informed, make healthier choices, and take proactive steps to secure their hearts and future.
Why does age increase the risk of heart attack?
Age increases the risk of heart attack as the physical wear and tear of the heart and blood vessels over time. Blood vessel changes like atherosclerosis, stiffer arteries, and high blood pressure trigger heart attacks and should be prevented.
How can Sohana hospital help with Heart Attack?
Sohana hospital has a wide range of treatment for heart attack, and has all the required technologies for you to take for treating it. Their expert set of doctors and cardiologists are there to help you with all you need to have a long term healthy lifestyle.
What is the reason for heart attacks nowadays?
Heart attacks nowadays are primarily caused by a combination of unhealthy modern lifestyles, rising rates of chronic health conditions, and genetic risk factors that lead to blocked coronary arteries. Main lifestyle triggers include Unhealthy Diet, lack of exercise, stress and fatigue, and tobacco use.
What are the top 3 causes of heart attacks?
A heart attack is primarily caused by Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), where plaque buildup restricts blood flow, leading to an acute blockage when a clot forms. Top Underlying Causes and Risk Factors include High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and smoking.
What is the best way to prevent heart attacks?
Preventing heart attacks requires you to prevent the root cause from triggering the heart attack again. Most of this involves adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding tobacco.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Harpreet Singh Gilhotra
Director Cardiology
Sohana Hospital, Mohali.
Credentials of the Author:
-MD Internal Medicine
-DM Cardiology
-25+ Years of Clinical Experience
-Specialist in Cardiac Diagnostics, Treatment & Prevention
Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
SOHANA HOSPITAL