Heart attack cases on the rise among young people in Himachal Pradesh
Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 1
The incidence of heart attack among young people is rising in the state. As per data gathered by the Cardiology Department of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, over the last five years, 8 per cent of the total heart attacks in Shimla district have been recorded in people below 40 years of age. “It’s a big number, especially when the prevalence of heart attack in this age group was negligible about 10-15 years back. Now, even 20-year-olds are getting heart attacks,” said Dr PC Negi, head of the Cardiology Department.
Negi said the average number of recorded heart attacks across the state was likely to be 350-400 per month and the mortality rate was around 10 per cent. “There’s no alarming increase in the overall incidence of heart attacks, but the rising occurrence among younger people is worrying,” said Dr Negi.
Dr Negi blames the rising incidence of heart attack among younger people on sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits. “Now, sedentary lifestyle starts from childhood. Children hardly walk or play games. They are engaged in mobile or television. Also, their eating habits have changed. They consume a lot of fast food and sugary drinks,” said Dr Negi, adding that it leads to obesity and gradually to diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. He said these factors were the major reasons behind heart attacks.
Dr Negi said physically active lifestyle and good eating habits, which include generous intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduced consumption of sugar, go a long way in preventing heart attacks. “Also, people should go for periodic health check-up. Once a person is above 20, he should monitor blood pressure regularly,” the cardiologist said.
He advised that people should not ignore the symptoms of heart attack and rush to the nearest health facility at the earliest. “We have a telemedicine facility where all block level health centres are connected with the premier health institutions. As and when a person reports at these health facilities with the symptoms of heart attack, doctors there connect with specialists and we guide them on further treatment,” said Dr Negi.
“Each of these health facilities has a clot dissolving injection. If the patient gets this injection in time, the chances of his survival increase considerably,” said Dr Negi.
Matter of heart
Key stats
- 350-400 heart attacks recorded across the state per month
- 10% mortality rate
- 8% of heart attacks occur in people under 40
Preventive measures
- Pursue physically active lifestyle
- Inculcate good eating habits
- Include fresh fruits, vegetables in diet; cut down on sugar intake
- Go for regular health check-up
- Don't ignore symptoms, seek medical attention promptly
