New Delhi. Although heart disease has traditionally been seen as a condition of the elderly, physicians are now witnessing an alarming rise in heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests among people in their twenties and thirties. This shift is driving a call for earlier screening and preventive strategies.
Prevention Before the First Event
Cardiac surgeon Dr. Shriram Nene emphasizes that cardiac care should not wait for a heart attack to occur. He promotes a balanced approach that includes disease prevention, early identification of risk markers, and swift medical intervention when needed.
Dr. Naresh Trehan, a leading heart surgeon and chairman of Medanta, advises individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes to undergo cardiac risk assessment before turning 25. Those without such a background are encouraged to discuss appropriate screening with their doctor by the age of 30. Advanced techniques such as genome sequencing can uncover inherited vulnerabilities, while clinicians combine family history, laboratory results, and lifestyle information to calculate overall risk.
Dietary Choices and Lifestyle Under Scrutiny
Professor Monica Arora, vice‑president of the Research and Health Promotion Division at the Public Health Foundation of India, links the growing heart‑disease burden to rapid changes in eating patterns. She points out that the surge in processed snacks and fast foods is displacing traditional Indian meals, weakening cardiovascular health.
All tobacco products—cigarettes, gutka, and other smokeless forms—remain significant contributors. The rise of vaping and nicotine addiction also poses serious threats to heart function.
Dr. Amit Gupta of the Global Metabolic Health Alliance adds that tight control of blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass is vital. Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and fatty liver disease magnify the likelihood of a cardiac incident.
Embedding Heart‑Smart Habits Early
The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has alarmed physicians, who stress the importance of teaching weight‑management practices from a young age. Regular exercise and balanced nutrition lay a solid foundation for lifelong cardiac wellbeing.
For older populations, consistent monitoring of glucose, blood pressure, and weight, adherence to prescribed medications, and routine check‑ups with healthcare providers remain essential components of heart protection.
“Guarding the heart is a lifelong pledge, not a reaction to a crisis,” the specialists conclude.
