It has always been believed that ageing brings difficulties and diseases with it. Major health issues like blood pressure, diabetes and heart attack were once associated with old age.

However, in recent times, the risk and subsequent deaths due to such diseases have been noticed in young adults as well. Heart attack has always been one of the leading causes of death for both men and women. But now, if you have kept yourself updated with news, people and even celebrities in their 20-30s are suffering from major heart issues and deaths.

According to the Indian Heart Association, when heart disease strikes Indians, it tends to do so at an earlier age (almost 33 per cent earlier) than other demographics, often without prior warning.

Fifty per cent of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 50 years of age and 25 per cent of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 40 years of age. Indian women have high mortality rates from cardiac disease as well.

It is important to understand the cause behind the rise in these cases in young adults to prevent them and live a healthy life. Living in a belief that heart attacks can only happen to anyone in old age is a myth that needs to be busted.

This is what one of the best cardiologist in Lucknow, Dr Swapnil Pathak, Consultant at Midland Healthcare has to say about the issue.

Some of the reasons behind these growing cases of heart diseases in young adults can be:

1. High blood pressure

Over time high blood pressure can damage your arteries by impacting their elasticity, which leads to decreased blood flow and oxygen to your heart. This gives rise to the risk of a heart attack. High Blood pressure levels are considered dangerous for your heart health and require immediate medical attention.

2. Diabetes

People with diabetes are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Higher levels of blood sugar may damage your blood vessels- arteries. This affects the blood flow to the heart and hence leads to a heart attack. This risk gets even more if one has a family history of heart disease.

3. Chronic Stress

The fast-moving lifestyle and change in people’s day-to-day activities lead to chronic stress disorders. This can result in high blood pressure and eventually causes heart attacks and stroke.

4. High Cholesterol

Munching on junk may be one of the favourite parts of young adults’ routine, but this may impact their cholesterol levels. Cholesterol Levels higher than 200 mg/dL can have a severe effect on your heart health and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

5. Being overweight or obese

Obesity can put some extra pressure on your heart as it needs more blood to supply oxygen to the body. The increased body fat will result in atrial enlargement, ventricular enlargement, and atherosclerosis leading to higher risks of heart attacks.

6. Smoking & Alcohol consumption

The unhealthy lifestyle followed by young adults is one main reason for cardiovascular diseases in the early 20-30s. Junk food, lack of physical exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking trigger the risk of a heart attack.

The chemicals present in cigarettes & alcohol damages the blood vessels and impacts the amount of oxygen in the blood, resulting in faster heartbeats & putting your heart in danger.

These are a few are causes behind the increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases in young adults. People in their early 20-30s are ignorant of their lifestyle, bringing them to the radar of different diseases.

Understanding how a healthy diet and lifestyle can help you live a healthy and happier life is important. Regular exercise & physical activities, following a nutritious diet, keeping an eye on your cholesterol, blood pressure, keeping a healthy weight, a regular check-up can help you stay healthy and safe.

Don’t forget a healthy heart is the key to happiness in life!