Surge in Cardiovascular Diseases Linked to Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol in Youth: Experts

▴ Cardiovascular Diseases
Contrary to popular belief, young females are now equally at risk with factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid issues coming into play. Depression, often underestimated, poses a significant risk for heart disease, particularly coronary conditions like heart attacks and blockages.

Kochi/29th September: Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases often go unnoticed in children and young adults due to their traditional association with older individuals. This lack of awareness frequently leads to undiagnosed cardiovascular conditions in young people, resulting in severe health complications and, tragically, even fatalities. The primary driver of these heart diseases in our country appears to be the escalating epidemic of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

On World Heart Day, doctors at Amrita Hospital in Kochi showed their concern over the shifts in heart disease trends among young adults. They highlighted a significant increase in cardiovascular cases, including heart attacks, affecting both young men and women, causing widespread concern. Doctors emphasized key factors linked to heart attacks in young people, aiming to raise awareness among both youths and their parents and promote overall physical and mental well-being.

Dr. Hisham Ahamed, Associate Professor and Consultant Cardiologist, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, said, "Diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are the silent culprits behind a surge in youth heart attacks. It is crucial to share that everyone can be equally predisposed to these conditions. Identifying risk factors through regular check-ups, especially after reaching 40 or 45 years of age, is essential. Alongside raising awareness, it is vital for everyone to recognize these risk factors and adopt a healthy lifestyle."

Dr. Hisham Ahamed emphasizes the importance of genetic factors in heart disease risk, "We observe numerous young patients, including athletes, with heart disease linked to strong genetic factors, such as atherosclerotic disease that often leads to heart attacks and myocardial infarctions, particularly in families with a history of it. Our approach involves genetic testing for precise risk assessment and intervention, incorporating medication and lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, cardiomyopathies like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy significantly contribute to sudden deaths, especially among athletes and those under 45 years old. Given the hereditary component of heart disease risk factors, it is imperative to proactively undergo preventive assessments and screenings to identify and address potential risks, thereby prioritizing heart health to mitigate the impact of family history on overall well-being."

Lifestyle factors and other comorbidities undoubtedly play a significant role in this scenario. Nevertheless, individuals with a strong family history of heart disease, particularly when it manifests at a premature age, should maintain heightened vigilance, and take proactive measures.

In the context of changing trends in cardiovascular health, Dr. Saritha Sekhar, Adult Cardiologist, Amrita Hospital, Kochi said, "In recent years, we have observed a worrisome shift in cardiovascular health, markedly different from two decades ago. A rising number of younger individuals now experience multiple blockages in their blood supply. Importantly, this trend is not gender specific. While we previously believed women were protected from heart disease during menopause, this is no longer the case. Young females are developing multiple risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid disease. These factors, combined with the obesity epidemic and sedentary lifestyles, contribute to heart disease in younger individuals. Although the disease's nature is similar in both genders, the evolving landscape underscores the growing vulnerability of young females to heart disease and early heart attacks."

Cardiologists at Amrita Hospital in Kochi have also highlighted an additional factor contributing to heart problems—an increasing prevalence of depression. Depression is often overlooked in both urban and rural areas and has emerged as a significant risk factor for heart diseases, particularly coronary conditions such as heart attacks.

Dr. Rajesh Thachathodiyl, Senior Interventional cardiologist, Professor & Head of Adult Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi added, "Depression, often overlooked, significantly increases the risk of heart diseases, especially conditions like heart attacks and blockages. Social biases discouraging open discussions on mental health, considered taboo in India, exacerbate this issue. The rising prevalence of depression adds to the health challenge, impacting urban and rural areas alike. Reluctance to seek help for mental health problems jeopardizes heart health. Recognizing depression as a critical risk factor and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health discussions is crucial."

Dr. Navaneetha Sasikumar, Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Hospital Kochi, said, ‘’As a pediatric cardiologist, I witness the shifting landscape of child mortality firsthand. Noncommunicable diseases like congenital heart conditions are emerging as significant threats to our children's well-being. In this era, our duty is clear: We must equip ourselves with knowledge and expertise to ensure early identification and treatment. 'Use Heart, Know Heart' on this World Heart Day serves as a reminder that we, as healthcare professionals, parents, and caregivers, must unite to safeguard the hearts of our youngest patients."

Health experts advocate adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle which involves focusing on nourishing foods, eliminating tobacco use, and making physical activity a daily priority. Regular health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, lipids, and mental health check-ups, are crucial for the early detection and management of heart disease risk factors. Timely intervention and preventive measures are essential in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Proactive screening is recommended for individuals of all ages, as it plays a significant role in maintaining heart health.

ABOUT AMRITA HOSPITAL, KOCHI (www.amritahospitals.org)

Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Amrita Hospital), based in Kochi, is one of the premier hospitals in South Asia. Founded in 1998 by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known worldwide as Amma), it offers a full range of primary and speciality care medical services. Amma’s vision of providing advanced medical care to the poor and disadvantaged was the inspiration for Amrita Hospital, which today is a 1,300-bed (490 units) tertiary referral and teaching hospital, serving more than 8 lakh outpatients and more than 50,000 inpatients annually. The massive healthcare infrastructure with over 3.33 million sq.ft. of built-up area, spread over 125 acres of land, supports a daily patient volume of approximately 3,500 outpatients with 95 per cent inpatient occupancy. There are 12 super-speciality departments, 45 other departments, 4,500 support staff and 670 faculty members. The hospital’s extensive infrastructure offers facilities comprising 28 modern operating theatres, 275 equipped intensive-care beds, a fully computerised and networked Hospital Information System (HIS), a fully digital radiology department, 17 NABL-accredited clinical laboratories and 24/7 telemedicine service. In 2015, South Asia's first-ever Bilateral Hand Transplant Surgery was done at Amrita Hospital. The same year, Amrita Hospital won the British Medical Journal Award for the Best Surgical Team in South Asia. The Amrita team won the award for its two successful double hand transplants, the first and the second bilateral hand transplants in this region.

Tags : #cardiovascular #diabetes #hypertension #cholestrol #heartproblems #medicircle

About the Author


Team Medicircle

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

Are we delivering new HIV prevention tools with speed, scale and equity?October 14, 2024
Hospital Lab Management: City Imaging & Clinical Labs to Expand Services to 50 Hospitals in North India by March 2027October 14, 2024
Women at Risk: India’s Breast Cancer Crisis and Its Impact on Future GenerationsOctober 14, 2024
Genetics or Lifestyle: Who’s Really to Blame for Your Premature Hair Loss?October 14, 2024
Decoding Parenthood: How Carrier Screening Can Shape a Healthier Future for India’s FamiliesOctober 14, 2024
Katrina Kaif Presents Kay Beauty’s Velvet Crème Blush: An iconic collectible multi-Use Magic blush in a revolutionary cushion crème-to-powder formulaOctober 11, 2024
Aakash Healthcare goes a step ahead: Movie Shows and Weekend Family Drives for doctors and nurses – Where work-life balance meets fun!October 11, 2024
Not Just a Day, But a Movement: The Real Impact of International Girl Child Day in IndiaOctober 11, 2024
From Darkness to Light: How India Wiped Out a Leading Cause of BlindnessOctober 11, 2024
India’s Diet Could Save the Planet: Why the World Needs to Follow Its Lead by 2050October 11, 2024
Is Your Brain Cleansing Itself? Discover the System That Could Save Your MindOctober 10, 2024
The Dark Side of Desire: How Personality Traits Influence Sexual BehaviorsOctober 10, 2024
India’s Mental Health Time Bomb: Can We Afford to Ignore It Any Longer?October 10, 2024
Go Cheese Announces Strategic Collaboration with Bigg Boss Season 18 to Enhance Brand Engagement and Consumer Reach Across IndiaOctober 10, 2024
DKMS BMST Foundation India Expands Stem Cell Donor Registry with 400+ New Donors registered from IIT DelhiOctober 10, 2024
FLAME University Launches the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness on International Day of Older PersonsOctober 10, 2024
Kaya Expands in Ludhiana with its 76th Clinic, Elevating Skincare with Advanced Wellness Solutions October 09, 2024
Dr Raj Nagarkar Becomes India’s 1st Oncologist on Cambridge Medical Robotics’ Advisory BoardOctober 09, 2024
Workplace Stress and Burnout Rate Reaching Critical Levels for Indian Employees, Warn ExpertsOctober 09, 2024
Are We Really Living Longer? The Surprising Reality of Life Expectancy TodayOctober 09, 2024