Here’s what you should do to reduce heart attack risk factors while working out.
television actor, Siddhant Veer Suryavanshi Anand also known as Suryavanshi passed away on Friday at the age of 46. Siddhant was working out when he fell down and suffered a heart attack. With the number of cases of people dying from heart attacks increasing, it is important to understand what causes heart attacks.
Heart diseases are often identified as diseases faced by older age groups. However, in the last few years, there has been a shift in the average age of heart attack where between 2000 and 2016 the number of heart attacks in the younger age group increased by 2% per year. Our heart is a mirror of health. Our overall health and poor heart health are linked to other ailments including diabetes, cholesterol and liver problems.
Heart attack in young adults: Young people should understand their risk factors
Dr. Haresh G Mehta, Consultant-Interventional Cardiologist, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-Fortis Associate, says there are several reasons for concern. “Not enough young people take their risk factors seriously. First, it’s important to note that looking fit or going to the gym doesn’t mean you’re healthy or living a healthy lifestyle. Many young adults these days generally indulge in unhealthy lifestyles. For example, excessive stress, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking, drug abuse, unnecessary and unsafe supplements, slimming pills and excessive exercise.”
Before creating an exercise schedule, it is important that you understand your health well. The most important thing is to be aware of your risk factors and understand what type of exercise will have the most impact on your body.
Young adults can protect their hearts and ensure a healthy future by reducing risk factors and taking care of their hearts. Dr. Pravin Kahl, Consultant, Cardiology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai shares a few tips for young adults to reduce the chances of a heart attack during a workout. Read ahead!
6 ways to protect your heart from a very young age:
- Lower your blood pressure: Even mildly elevated blood pressure can eventually lead to heart problems. Therefore, it is important to check your blood pressure at least once a year.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking not only damages the lungs, but it also increases your chances of having a heart attack! Smokers are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease.
- Manage body weight and diet: The best defense against obesity and heart disease is a good diet and regular exercise. A nutrient-dense diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week can reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Control cholesterol levels: High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. The main causes are processed food and high sugar content. Diet and lifestyle changes can help lower elevated cholesterol levels.
- Avoid sleep deprivation: At least seven hours of rest each day is needed to rebuild the brain and muscles and to relieve stress and fatigue.
- Prefer yoga over gymming: Taking over-the-counter supplements while working out should also be avoided. This can deplete the entire supply of nutrients within your body and cause certain organs to not function properly. Instead of opting for excessive gymming, one can opt for subtle yoga and meditation to approach the holistic well-being of your body.
