What a tragedy to parents! 22 years old Katta Abhijith Reddy, native of Nagarkarnool dist of Telangana ,completed B.Tech in chemical engineering got a job in an oil company in Saudi Arabia with a salary of US  $70K and to join soon in the company but ill fate gone otherwise as he suffered severe heart attack in the midnight and hospitalised but could not be saved and had last breath after a few hours of treatment. Parents in agony as it was a great shock to them loosing a brilliant son with great future in tender age.

There is a lot of concern around the world but it is only recently that a rising number of cardiovascular problems among younger population are being diagnosed and reported and some instant deaths before reaching hospital or after a few hours of treatment. Even young medical proffessionals are no exception. Its  a common perception that heart attacks are common in old age and youngsters are not affected. But its an old theory as seen in old editions of  medical textbooks. Deviating from its routine pattern of targeting the old population and those with prexisting heart diseases and other metabolic diseases, heart diseases find
 a way to affect young population too. This has raised alarm and concern and made people to question the scientific reason behind it.

Any one in twenties can slowly begin increase in levels of cholesterol and triglycerides developing minor blockages in the arteries supplying blood to heart. Heart pumps blood to every organ and every nook and corner of the body. For this heart too requires blood for pumping. Even if blood is not supplied to heart itself for few seconds then damage to heart muscle resulting in poor function.Family history of heart diseases and genes  also play  vital role for heart attacks according to reputed cardiologists. If a person feels stressful, heavy physical exertion without preparation, gimming without heart check up, weight training, long treadmill exercise, biological stressors due to infection exert the heart forming clots nearer to the already formed minor blockages leading to big clots and heart attacks. According to cardiologists, genetic cause of cardiovascular diseases is seen in a large section of Indian population and mostly transmitted through father’s side rather than mother.

Young people  have a lot of stress associated with urbanisation, life style, pub and bar culture leading to smoking, drugs, alcohol consumption unhealthy and untimely eating habits till late nights as well career and family problems. These in turn cause stress over the heart leading to heart attacks, cardiac arrest and irregular heart beats.Another worrying issue is ,High blood pressure and diabetes are seen among young population than in the previous decades. Again same genetic cause, life style, eating habits, excess body weight and lack of physical exercise.

Prevention is better than cure as prevention is free of cost whereas cure lands one with high cost of hospitalisation and this oldest saying is neglected and over looked by young and old. Regular cardiac check up for all young, old and more frequently if a person has a family history of cardiac diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Changing sedentary life style, curbing extra sugar consumption, monitoring lipids,control of fat consumption, stopping tobacco products, avoiding alcohol and maintaining Body Mass Index with proper weight as per age and height, will minimise chances of cardiovascular diseases.In addition regular physical exercise, yoga, meditation and spiritual mindset will further decrease the heart diseases. Spirituality will calm the mind without stress and makes one to face any odd situation with cool mind without  anxiety and stress. Positive thinking most essential to every one as negative thinking creates anxiety and stress.Unfortunately ,COVID  pandemic played havoc with heart resulting in many deaths in young and old even after proper treatment ,affecting even after six months to one year! COVID is another burden on the hearts more so  on people with pre existing heart problems and no discrimination to young and old and all are suceptible after a bout of infection. It is a great tragedy that average age in India for heart attacks  now more youthful  ever before. Ultimately if youth and aged avoid Hurry, Worry and Curry (non veg) one can avoid heart problems with regular physical exercise depending upon the capacity of the person.Regular sleep makes one fresh the next day. No daily late night parties. None should be vigorous in exercises in gyms but slow and study with regular medical check ups. So our health is in our hands. Our heart diseases in the hands of doctors. Let us be free of heart diseases respecting heart,loving  and caring without  creating any problems to it to serve us till the last breath.

Dr J.P Reddy,Nalgonda,
Telangana