People under 40 are now reporting cardiac death at an alarmingly high rate. This used to be thought of as a rare event in young adults. People who looked healthy, like students, athletes, and professionals, have quickly passed out from heart attacks. People in the general and in the healthcare field are worried about this growing trend. Then what is the issue, and what are the signs that we should all notice?
How to understand cardiac arrest
Heart arrest happens when the heart stops beating all of a sudden or beats very quickly, cutting off blood flow to the brain and other important organs. It can kill within minutes if no one acts quickly, generally with CPR or defibrillation. To be clear, this is not the same as a heart attack. In a heart attack, blood flow to the heart muscle is cut off. In cardiac arrest, on the other hand, the heart’s electrical system goes down.
Why is it getting worse among young adults?
1. Heart problems not found
A lot of young people don’t know they have heart problems that are caused by genes or were there from birth. Heart problems like coronary artery disease (blockages in heart blood vessels) are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Heart problems like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy can affect heart function and raise the risk of sudden arrest, especially when you are working out.
2. Diet and way of life
People today who don’t exercise and eat a lot of processed foods, sugar, and bad fats are more likely to get heart disease and other cardiovascular problems earlier. These problems include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes mellitus.
3. Use of drugs
Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or rapid stress on the heart can be caused by using drugs for fun, vaping, or even drinking too much caffeine or energy drinks. Some workout pills also have stimulants in them, which can be harmful if used too much or in the wrong way.
4. Effects after COVID
More and more data shows that COVID-19 can hurt or inflame heart tissue over time, even in mild cases. This can sometimes raise the risk of myocarditis, which is known to cause sudden cardiac death in young people and can also cause heart blood vessels to clot.
5. Brain health and stress
Long-term stress, anxiety, and depression that isn’t handled can raise blood pressure and heart rate, make it hard to sleep, and make inflammation worse. All of these things put stress on the cardiovascular system over time. Some heart problems, like stress-induced cardiomyopathy, have been linked directly to emotional worry.
6. Working too hard without being watched
People who don’t know they have heart problems may be more likely to get heart problems if they do a lot of intense physical activity without proper medical supervision or rest. Young players may push themselves too far without realizing that their heart and lungs aren’t as strong as they think they are.
Important signs to look out for
Heart attacks usually happen quickly, but sometimes there are mild signs that something is wrong before the attack. Being aware of these signs could help avoid tragedy:
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially when working out
- Shortness of breath that can’t be explained by activity level
- Heart palpitations or fluttering feelings in the chest
- Passing out or almost passing out episodes that can’t be explained
- Extreme tiredness or dizziness, especially after exercise
- A history of sudden cardiac death in the family or genetic heart conditions
How can the risk be cut down?
1. Get checked out
Young adults who have a family history of heart disease or falling should get a heart screening test, such as an EKG or an echocardiogram.
2. Make heart-healthy habits a top priority
To have good circulatory health, you need to eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
3. Don’t use too many stimulants
When taking medicines, energy drinks, or supplements that have a lot of stimulants, be careful.
4. Take care of your mental health and stress
Regularly using mindfulness, therapy, or relaxation methods can help lower long-term stress and the heart damage it causes.
5. Know how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Quick action can mean the difference between life and death in a heart emergency. Some people learn CPR and how to use an AED at home, at school, or at work, and those skills can save lives. The overall mortality rate for people who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital and are revived with CPR is 10%, so everyone needs to learn it. It’s time to pay attention because more and more young people are having cardiac arrests. Many of the cases are caused by secret medical problems, but modern lifestyles and environmental stressors also play a big part. Keeping up with the news, spotting early warning signs, and taking precautions can protect not only your heart, but also your life or the life of someone you care about.Dr. Girish B Navasundi, MBBS, MD, DNB, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru