Young MI on rise-What we can do!
Nowadays very often we hear about the death of some young celebrity due to a heart attack. There is an alarming rise in the number of young patients with heart attacks. The number has increased by approximately 35 % according to eminent cardiologists around the world. The literature in our medical books around a decade ago did mention that the Indian population will suffer from heart attacks at younger ages than the Western population. But this statement mentioned in medical books has now become a harsh reality. As medical fraternity can we do something to prevent this?
First and foremost it is important to burst the myth “I am too young to get a heart attack”. Remember age is no criterion to suffer an attack. We need to understand that an adult as young as 20 years of age can also be susceptible. Acceptance of this fact is the key to prevention and better outcome.
If you wish to avoid emergency situations then you must go for routine medical check-ups and risk factor assessment after the age of 25 years. Screening for DM and hypertension is a very important aspect of these examinations. Meticulous treatment of the same is of utmost importance.
A changed lifestyle is a major culprit for this age-related shift in heart attacks. Lifestyle modification plays an important role in improving the situation. Healthy dietary habits and moderate physical activity can do wonders. In case you want to do strenuous exercise then adequate medical check-up in the form of blood pressure monitoring, ECG, Echo, sugar and cholesterol levels before the start of exercise is a must. Awareness regarding stress management should be undertaken. One should give up smoking and tobacco chewing at any cost.
Ignorance my friend is not bliss when it comes to heart attacks, in fact even the mildest form of chest pain should be dealt with with due attention. A heart attack may not necessarily present with chest pain and sometimes symptoms such as excessing sweating, gastric trouble, jaw pain, left arm pain, dyspnoea and abdominal pain can be manifestations of an underlying heart attack. At least ECG should be done in all such individuals irrespective of their age.
If you detect ECG changes in any such individual then loading with antiplatelet drugs aspirin 300 mg and Clopidogrel 300 mg should be given on a priority basis before referring the patient to the cardiac centre. These are lifesaving drugs in the given situation and should be available to every medical practitioner irrespective of their specialities. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be taught to a maximum number of people.
Accepting the fact that heart attacks can occur at any age and ordering an ECG for any type of chest pain can save many lives. Loading with antiplatelet, basic knowledge of CPR is also a game changer.
Acceptance of DM, hypertension and proper treatment of the same with smoking cessation can do wonders. Awareness of a healthy lifestyle is a must. By doing all these things we can help many young people to fight with this masquerade.
Dr Rhishikesh Umalkar
DM cardiology (Gold Medalist)
Ganeshaa Heart Care Centre
Trinity Hospital, Nagpur.
M: 85112 72373
