Want to hit the gym? Then a cardiac check is a must

Tirupati: There is an increase in young people having heart attacks of late. Health experts attribute this to poor lifestyle choices, increased stress levels, lack of sleep and healthy food, and high-intensity exercises or training.

Cardiac arrests and cardiovascular disorders have long been a worry. But sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in otherwise healthy adults under 35 years had been uncommon. However, cardiovascular problems within younger population are rising.

According to estimates, 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 young athletes are now dying from SCA each year. A recent American study revealed that there is a 13 percent increase in SCA among people between 30–40 years. According to Indian Heart Association, heart disease puts younger Indians more at risk than other demographies.

While medical communities are yet to establish definitive reasons for this, they have discovered a few aspects. Doctors say sedentary lifestyle, heavy workout routines, stress, comorbidities, and smoking and alcohol consumption are all contributing to increase in prevalence of SCA.

Explaining causes for heart attacks in young populations, Dr. P. Krishna Prasanthi, a Tirupati-based general physician and Andhra Pradesh state president of the Association of Physicians of India, said:

"During a heart attack, a few people undergo ventricular fibrillation (electrical instability) and cardiac arrest within a few minutes, allowing little time to visit a hospital or seek treatment. This occurs because blood flow is cut off to the cardiac muscle. Blood clot forms within a few minutes, artery gets closed and the individual suffers heart attack.”

There is insufficient data to establish a direct link between suffering from Coronavirus and facing heart disorders. Doctors, however, maintain that viral diseases are known to trigger heart attacks in pre-disposed persons.

"Covid-19 induces inflammation in arteries that supply blood to heart muscle. There is increased blood clotting, resulting in abrupt obstruction of arteries and heart attack. Those who have recovered from Covid should not overlook any signs of dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain or palpitations. They should contact their doctor at least once,” Dr. Prasanthi underlined.

With several reports of people falling during or after a workout, doctors believe that high-intensity exercises, extensive physical activities and sports are a contributing factor for SCA. They pointed out that dehydration after intensive exercise is to blame for unexpected fatalities. It would be good to undergo a complete cardiac examination before beginning a tough gym programme.

Dr. Prasanthi stated: "Young individuals these days do not undergo any cardiac check-up before they join a gym. Some people even take supplements that are harmful for the heart and induce arrhythmia. Conditioning the body before exercising or participating in sports, particularly warm-up and cool-down, is critical. Regular health check-up, adjustments in sedentary lifestyle, and stopping smoking and drinking helps control cardiac issues."