Heart attacks among women and young: Dr Sreenivas explains risk factors

Hyderabad: Heart attacks suffered by women and young have become a cause of concern for society. It has again highlighted the need for further research and study.

Cardiologists have been recording cases of heart attacks in these two groups which were otherwise considered relatively safe.

Post-Covid 19, there has been an increase in heart attacks in the young and that has become a major cause of concern for society. Those in their early 20s are reporting heart attacks and sudden death which is baffling not only the people but also doctors. The underlying conditions, if any, are not identified can pose a challenge.

Dr Sreenivas A, senior interventional cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals explains the risk factors in these two age groups which has become a point of discussion.

New research and studies are pointing towards metabolic syndrome and there is a need for more studies in both these age groups to understand the cause of heart attacks. Excerpts:

NM: Why women suffering from metabolic syndrome are at high risk of heart disease?

Dr. Sreenivas: Metabolic syndrome is a conglomeration of borderline, High blood pressure, Tri glycerides, trunkal obesity, and sugars which are known risk factors for heart failure. So obviously men or women who have metabolic syndrome will be at higher risk. These factors are some of the known factors the only aspect is that they were considered as a higher risk in men compared to women.

NM: Women's heart conditions are a matter of study. Can this be one indication of the same? If so, how will it help doctors evaluate?

Dr Sreenivas: Women's heart disease is important. Even today cardiovascular diseases are commonest causes of death in women. It is not cancers that are commonly perceived. Women are considered safe till they go through their menstrual cycle. But during the time of pre-menopause and menopause, hormonal protection is lost. Once women achieve menopause, the risk of heart disease is as high as men.

There is a need for more women-centric studies to understand what is going wrong in their hearts in pre and post-menopause stages. This will give us a better insight into preventing the epidemic of heart disease in women.

It must also be noted that most women’s heart diseases are not identified early due to socio-economic reasons. This also needs to be worked upon as early screening can help to identify heart problems in women early.

NM: Post-COVID-19, a lot of young people are suffering from heart attacks. What are the reasons?

Dr Sreenivas: In India, we see heart attacks in 2 peaks

1. 40-45 age group

2. After 60 years of age

Young people suffer heart attacks and the commonest causes are stress, smoking, and other underlying undetected conditions. The data on young heart attacks is minimal in India. There is a need to closely look into it. Most of the cases are not reported to the hospitals and are mostly circulating on social media. Autopsy is a challenge due to the emotional and social pressures due to which the actual reasons for young heart attacks have been difficult to identify. The scientific evidence so far has been based on those that were in the hospital set-up only.

We have a lot of data on heart attacks in the elderly which are the standard risk factors like high blood pressure, high and uncontrolled sugar, cholesterol levels, hereditary factors, lack of physical exercise, improper food habits, and sleep.

These factors are also some of the reasons for young heart attacks. The present generation works in graveyard shifts and is also suffering from sleep problems which can be some of the causes.