New Delhi. Although heart disease has traditionally been associated with seniors, physicians are now witnessing a disturbing rise in heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests among people in their twenties and thirties. This shift is driving a call for screening and preventive care well before any emergency occurs.
Prevention Starts Long Before the First Symptom
Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Shriram Nene warns that waiting for a heart attack to trigger medical attention is a dangerous gamble. He urges a balanced strategy that includes risk‑reduction habits, early identification of warning signs, and swift professional evaluation when concerns arise.
Dr. Naresh Trehan, chief surgeon at Medanta, recommends that anyone with a family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes begin formal screening before turning 25. Those without such a background should discuss appropriate check‑ups with their doctor by age 30. Modern diagnostics such as genomic sequencing can uncover inherited susceptibilities, while clinicians combine pedigree information, lab results and lifestyle factors to calculate an individual’s overall risk.
Diet 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 escalating heart‑disease burden to changing eating patterns. The surge in ultra‑processed snacks and sugary drinks is displacing traditional Indian meals, eroding cardiovascular health across the population.
All tobacco products—including cigarettes, gutka, and other smokeless forms—remain major culprits. The growing popularity of vaping and nicotine‑based products adds another layer of risk for the young heart.
Dr. Amit Gupta of the Global Metabolic Health Alliance emphasizes that tight control of blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight is indispensable. Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and fatty liver disease dramatically heighten the probability of a cardiac event.
Planting Healthy Habits Early
The rise in childhood obesity is sounding alarms among paediatricians, who urge families to instil balanced nutrition and regular exercise habits from an early age. Establishing these routines creates a solid foundation for lifelong heart health.
For adults, consistent monitoring of glucose, blood pressure and weight, strict adherence to prescribed medication, and periodic visits to health‑care providers remain essential pillars of cardiovascular protection.
“Guarding the heart is a lifelong commitment, not a reaction to a crisis,” the experts conclude.
