We all are very well aware of the sharp spike in cases of heart attack globally at younger age. Earlier the disease would grip rather older folks, but nowadays heart attack are becoming more common in the younger age group today than they were 10-15 years back.
Dr Subhendu Mohanty, Head and Senior Consultant, Sharda Hospital said that “In the last two years or so, there have been rising incidences, so much that we have seen heart attacks in those aged 18 and 20 also”.
Research on Link Between Corona & Uptick in Number of Heart Attacks
Though it is rooted in several genetic and physical factors, the cases have risen especially after the Covid-19. So, is there any correlation between the uptick in heart cases and havoc wreaking virus? Let’s try to unravel this hypothesis.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Health Ministry is investigating any possible link with Covid. “The government has commissioned research to find the link between the recent spate of heart attacks in young people with Covid, and the results are expected in two-three months”.
Emphasizing on the need to address this issue, Mandaviya added, “We saw so many young artists, athletes, sportspersons…they died on stage while performing. We all saw that, and reports started coming in from several places. We needed to investigate.”
Dr Vikas Chopra, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Primus Super Speciality Hospital said that Covid-19 may increase the risk of heart attacks in some people. “The virus can cause inflammation and blood clots, which can lead to blockages in the blood vessels that supply the heart. COVID-19 can also cause damage to the heart muscle, leading to conditions like myocarditis or heart failure. Additionally, stress and anxiety related to the pandemic may increase the risk of heart attacks in some individuals. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the link between COVID-19 and heart attacks”.
Another Consultant Cardiologist from Chembur’s Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Dr Narayan Gadkar said that “Those with Covid-19 will have blood clots that can reach the brain and cause an ischemic stroke or cause a heart attack as the blood flow of the heart arteries tends to get compromised. Hence, Covid is associated with heart attacks.”
He added that as per the studies, the Covid-19 survivors may be at risk of developing long-term heart complications. “While COVID-19 can affect people of all ages, older adults and those with preexisting health conditions are at a higher risk of developing severe illness. However, recent reports have shown that younger individuals with no underlying health conditions can also experience heart complications from COVID-19, including myocarditis,” he said.
Doctors Suggest Good Diet, Being Fit & Regular Tests to Keep Heart Related Issues at Bay
In order to stave this off, the doctor asked everyone to consume a healthy diet, stay physically active, manage stress levels, avoid smoking, and get regular check-ups with a healthcare provider. “It’s also essential to seek medical attention immediately if experiencing heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness,” he said.
With more and more younger folks being impacted by this, Dr Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman and Chief Cardiac Surgeon, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata concluded by saying, “With the incidence of coronary disease affecting more than 15% of those who are less than 40 years of age, we do not have a choice other than to get checkups done regularly. This should include blood tests, ECG, ECHO and if the doctor advises, a treadmill test along with CT coronary angiogram. There is no room for guesswork. Let us try to pack up smoking, and check our weight, blood pressure and blood sugar. The catastrophe of a heart attack hits us unannounced when it is least expected. The first pain is too late. Let’s keep our vigil.”
