Are heart patients getting younger?

28th Sep was observed as World’s Heart Day. Doctors revealed that the heart patients are becoming younger at an alarming rate. Particularly, this trend is in increase in the urban area. It should be noted that almost 20% of patients that are admitted in the hospitals, comes under the age bracket of 25-30 age. Even experts opine that by the end of 2010, all over the globe the increase in cardiovascular disease among the younger generations will be about 200%. On an average, it is also seen that the average age of a person who suffers from cardiac aliments has come down from age group of 30 to 40 yrs.

Apart from this the lifestyle and food habits that the young generation has adopted also leads to the chances of increased rate of cardiovascular diseases. The increasing pressures to perform and excel well in studies, job increases the woes. Thus problems related with stress and anxiety begins at an early age. Some of the other leading causes are smoking and taking alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, higher cholesterol levels and blood pressure and diabetes.

Even doctors opine that health check up annually becomes mandatory for everybody. It makes one alert towards the disease. Ignoring the related symptoms is another mistake. Most of the people complain with chest pain that is accompanied with heaviness and breathlessness in the chest. Sweating is another common symptom that should not be neglected.

If a person has high stress level at work place or at home or are bothered with financial problems then such people must be careful. The people who have family history with heart attacks should be more careful as their chances of cardiac arrest doubles.

Most of the experts suggest that 45 min brisk walk everyday is mandatory. Other young people should opt for sports like tennis, squash or badminton. All these little changes will be a step towards a healthy lifestyle and will keep the heart healthy.

In case of an attack
If the person is unconscious then feel the chest to see the signs of breathing. If the person is not having any pulse or breathing then he/she has suffered from a cardiac arrest. Then in that case raise the legs to increase the flow of blood towards the heart. Press your palm on the patient’s chest over the lower part of the breast bone and press your hand in a pumping motion using the other hand to regain the heart beat. If even after this the pulse doesn’t gets restored and the patient doesn’t breathe again then call the emergency number.