Every few days, there are headlines about a celebrity’s demise, which shakes us up. Recently, Indian actor Vikas Sethi passed away at the age of 48. What was the reason? A heart attack. Unfortunately, he is not the only one who has had an untimely demise due to a cardiac arrest. Other young actors and celebrities like Irrfan Khan, KK, and Sidharth Shukla have also left us too soon.

We might think these people have the power and money to get the best treatments and have a healthy lifestyle. But is that all that’s needed? Cardiac arrest, a term that was a rarity to the generation of our elders, has become the most heard topic these days. It is taking younger people by surprise. Cardiac arrest cases at a young age keep increasing each day, causing much alarm. Who is responsible for it?

We all are. In this hustle culture, we often sideline our health. We stay up late to meet work deadlines and wake up early to do the same. People barely sit and eat mindfully, as they take their meals no less than a task. With the advent of digitalisation, we are glued to the screen 24/7. The climate is already turning against us every single day, leaving us in a constant state of turmoil. Furthermore, we can’t help but crib about sky-rocketing prices. Those days are gone when we used to get something for cheap. Now, we only relate to our parents when they say, “mehengaai kitni badh gai hai naa“. And the sad reality is that we know it’s downhill from here. If this doesn’t stress someone out to death, then what else will? Do you know the major reasons behind cardiac arrest at a young age?

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Young people at risk

People in the age bracket of 20-50 are at an increasing risk of heart attack. Nearly 1 in 5 patients prone to cardiac arrest are below 40 years of age. There is no single reason to attribute to the cause. There are multiple reasons that lead to heart disease. Here are some of the key reasons for cardiac arrest at a young age.

• Substance abuse or excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Lack of physical activity
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Poor diet
• High levels of stress and anxiety

These causes are found in most people today due to poor lifestyle patterns. However, some people with an active lifestyle can still be prone to cardiac arrest at a young age. It usually happens when you do an intense workout session that peaks your blood pressure. This creates further pressure on your heart’s functionality, leading to a heart attack. Such cases can bring about sudden death if the heart fails to bear the pressure. It’s advisable to keep your training sessions ranging between light to moderate. How can things take a better path?

Good health to the rescue

We grew up learning slogans like “health is wealth”, not knowing that we’ll forget them as soon as we become adults. Adulthood indeed gives us something we desperately wait for as a kid— the freedom to decide for ourselves. And what do we do with that choice? We choose the worst for ourselves, which leads us to fatal issues in the long run, including cardiac arrest. How can we undo the damage up till now to secure a better future?

It’s never too late to start again and fix the track of your life. You must diligently follow the given guidelines to prevent cardiac arrest at a young age.

• Eat your greens: As cliché as it sounds, you must eat a balanced diet, including fresh veggies, whole grains, proteins and so on.
• Quit smoking: That cigarette between your fingers might label you as ‘cool’, but it sends you down a dangerous road.
• Limit alcohol intake: Drinking is all fun and games till it starts affecting your liver terribly. It’s better to limit your alcohol consumption than being forced to quit it completely.
• Regulate cholesterol levels: You must get your cholesterol levels checked regularly to keep your heart healthy. Moreover, fatty foods can never be your soulmate.
• Exercise: Physical activity can help to a great extent in preventing cardiac arrest at a young age. It keeps you energised and maintains your body weight. 
• Only eustress (the good stress): You must stress about things that are in your control and might give you the confidence to work for them. The ‘D‘ in distress stands for ‘don’t stress‘ as you’re too cool for it.
• Go easy on sugar: It’s okay if you have a sweet tooth, but it will turn against you if your sugar levels increase. You must limit your sugar intake to ensure your heart’s good health.

These prevention techniques take time as you fit them into your busy schedule. But it is important to follow them diligently because it will only affect the work that you so dearly love. Additionally, if you are at risk of developing a heart disease, you must see your doctor and avail the necessary treatments. Even then, you must follow these guidelines to ensure good well-being. Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin but what good is life when you are constantly ill and stressed out? So, looking after your health won’t harm you, instead, it’ll make life more enjoyable.

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