Podcast | What Causes Heart Attacks in Young People?

Expert weighs in on the alarming rise of heart attacks among young people in India

Podcast: Exploring heart attack in young people.

(Photo: FIT)

(Comedian Raju Srivastav was reportedly rushed to the hospital after suffering a mild heart attack while working out. FIT is republishing this story in light of the news, and the alarming rise in cases of young people having heart attacks in recent times.)

"I never expected that I would have a heart attack at such a young age," says Abhay Bahl, a 40 year old man who had a serious heart attack back in March.

Heart attacks are traditionally associated with old age. If you're in your 20s 30s or even 40s, chances are, you've not given it much thought.

But data paints a different picture. And it's especially not pretty for us Indians.

Around 50 percent of the heart attacks in men in India occur in those below the age of 50.

In this FIT podcast, two healthy men who had heart attacks at the age of 39 share their harrowing experience.

We also speak to Dr Vishal Rastogi, Additional Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute about the causes, signs and preventive measures.

"It is really disturbing when you know that at such a young age you've got a heart attack and you have a family that you would have left behind."

Furqan Ahmed

Though he now lives a strict life of right eating, Ahmed also talks about the anxiety and fear of another heart attack that continues to linger long after he has been treated.

Every slight plain or ache sets his alarm bells going, he says.

Abhay Bahl, too speaks of the complete lifestyle change he's had to go through, and how he has also developed diabetes as a result of the heart medications he is on.

Signs You're Having a Heart Attack

"A classical sign of heart attacks is a retrosternal pain or heaviness that is diffused, like a pressure on the chest, and cannot be pinpointed."

Dr Vishal Rastogi, Additional Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

But Dr Rastogi also lists some other less obvious signs that one may ignore. These include,

• Sweating

• Feeling of obstruction in the chest that may be mistaken for choking

• Jaw pain

• Pain in the arm

• Pain in the abdomin