Why Men Under 50 Need to Watch Their Hearts: Lessons from Shreyas Talpade’s Experience
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A Wake-Up Call to Young Hearts
Shreyas Talpade’s recent heart scare has brought attention to a concerning trend – more Indian men are facing heart problems before hitting the big 5-0. About half of heart attacks in Indian men happen when they are under or around 50 years old. But why is this happening?
The Sneaky Nature of Heart Troubles
Unlike what we might expect, heart attacks in younger men can happen suddenly and without warning. Talpade, for instance, was his usual cheerful self on a movie set, doing action scenes, and then, out of the blue, felt unwell and passed out at home. Dr. Mohammed Rehan Sayeed from Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru explains that, similar to how bushes might sit quietly on the sidewalk until a storm comes and uproots them, our arteries, even if not fully blocked, can cause problems at any time.
What Puts Us at Risk
While we don’t know exactly what caused Talpade’s heart attack, there are some common triggers. Dr. Sayeed believes that our genes play a big role. Studies show that Indians are more likely to have heart issues earlier in life than people in the West. We’re also more prone to having high levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, which can clog up our arteries. This genetic tendency gets more complicated when we add other health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure into the mix.
Why We Miss the Warning Signs
One big problem is that the signs of a heart attack can be tricky to identify. They might seem like other less serious issues, like a stomach ache or nerve pain. Dr. Sayeed says this is one reason why we sometimes don’t realize something is wrong until it’s too late.
Tests That Can Help
Regular tests like ECG, Echo, and stress tests might not tell us everything about the state of our arteries. Dr. Sayeed suggests a CT-coronary angiogram, a more detailed test, especially if there’s a family history of heart problems. It’s also crucial to keep tabs on diabetes, as it’s a significant player in heart health.
Protecting Our Hearts
So, what can we do? Dr. Sayeed advises people in their 40s and 50s to pay attention to signs like shortness of breath or fainting episodes and not ignore them. He also emphasizes the importance of a heart-friendly lifestyle: eating in moderation, getting some exercise, managing our weight, and avoiding too much alcohol and smoking.