An analysis of 5,000 patients seen at the State-run Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in the last five years — all aged below 40 — revealed that over 30% of the cases did not face any conventional risk factors or family history. While 51% were smokers and 10% had high conventional risk factors, 15% had a strong family history of premature heart attack, indicating that there is some definite genetic predisposition.
In fact, the premier cardiac care institution has recorded a 22% increase in the incidence of heart attacks among youngsters in the last 10 years.
Attributing this trend to multiple risk factors, including conventional factors such as diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, and family history, doctors said stress, air and soil pollution also had a great impact. Proper and early risk factor and lifestyle management is the key to prevent cardiovascular problems, doctors said.
