Heart attack has become so common lately, especially post COVID. There are a lot of reasons why this is happening, and most importantly to youngsters between the age of 25-34. Let’s learn a little about the issue and try to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle to eliminate the chances of getting a cardiac arrest.
Why do people get a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. The blockage is most often an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that support the heart.
Symptoms
Common heart attack signs and symptoms include:
- Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw, or back
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Not all people who suffer heart attacks have the same symptoms or the same severity of symptoms. Some people have mild pain, while others suffer more severe pain. Some people have no symptoms. For others, the first sign may be sudden cardiac arrest.
Risk factors:
- Tobacco. This includes both active and passive smoking.
- High blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage arteries that lead to your heart leading to a heart attack.
- High blood cholesterol: A high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) is most likely to narrow arteries leading to a heart attack.
- Obesity. Obesity is linked with high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Diabetes. Not producing enough of a hormone secreted by your pancreas (insulin) or not responding to insulin properly causes your body’s blood sugar levels to rise, increasing your risk of a heart attack.
- Family history of heart attacks. If your siblings, parents, or grandparents have had early heart attacks (by age 55 for males and by age 65 for females), you might be at increased risk.
- Lack of physical activity. Being inactive contributes to high blood cholesterol levels and obesity leading to a heart attack.
- Stress. You might respond to stress in ways that can increase your risk of a heart attack.
- Illicit drug use. Using stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, can trigger a spasm of your coronary arteries that can cause a heart attack.
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