Heart attacks at age 60 become as common as diabetes at age 35. With the rapid increase in unhealthy lifestyle choices such as sedentary habits, unhealthy diet and smoking, heart disease is increasingly becoming the leading cause of death worldwide. Additionally, genetic predisposition to heart disease may also play a role.
Although heart disease is often associated with older people, it becomes more common in middle-aged adults. In fact, recent studies have shown that people in their 40s and 50s are at an increased risk of heart disease, especially if they have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
“We have observed a disturbing trend in the increasing incidence of heart attacks among Indians at the age of 60. This is due to a combination of factors such as high prevalence of risk factors, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, genetic factors and lack of awareness. Indians have a high prevalence of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, which can contribute to the development of heart disease and increase the risk of heart attacks,” says Dr. Vishal Khullar, Director, CTVS and Heart and Lung Transplant, Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital.
With increasing urbanization and modernization, many Indians lead sedentary lives and eat unhealthy diets. Some Indians may also be genetically predisposed to heart disease.
Dr Abhijit Khadtare, Cardiologist at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, says: “Cardiovascular disease is particularly likely to affect the elderly and the aging population. Adult age is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), although other factors such as frailty, obesity and diabetes increase these risks. These elements are known to exacerbate and complicate cardiac risk factors associated with the onset of old age. Age-related increases in CVD risk are correlated with a general decline in sex hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone.”
Despite this, hormone replacement therapy has been shown to generally not improve outcomes in elderly patients and may even increase the risk of cardiac events in the elderly and given that older women are considered to be at risk higher rate of cardiovascular disease than age-matched men, this is a potential risk factor in aging adults.
Aging is a major factor in declining cardiovascular health, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults. “Atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction are among the cardiovascular diseases that have been shown to increase in prevalence with age in both men and women,” adds Dr. Khadtare.
Also Read: 7 Incredible Mocktail Ideas To Try This Summer
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the incidence of cardiovascular disease in men and women in the United States is 40% between ages 40 and 59, 75% between ages 60 and 79, and 86% among those with 80 years or more. Current understanding of how age affects the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease, with a focus on gender differences in cardiovascular disease in the elderly, to better understand the factors that need to be taken into account into account when developing future treatments for the aging population. The time of diagnosis of diabetes varies between 30 and 50 years. Early diagnosis of diabetes increases the risk of heart problems.
Given the expected duration of exposure to high levels of glucose and other risk factors, a patient who develops type 2 diabetes at a younger age has a higher lifetime risk. Dr. Khadtare thinks young people may also have a physiological trait, inherited or otherwise, that predisposes them to harm from high blood sugar and other risk factors. “You are more likely to get heart disease if you have diabetes. Also, people with diabetes are more likely to have heart attack risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or stroke. High blood sugar from diabetes can damage both your blood vessels and the nerves that regulate them,” he adds. Over time, this injury could lead to heart disease. Diabetics usually suffer from heart disease earlier than healthy people. the disease are about twice as likely to occur in diabetics.
“A lack of awareness and preventative measures to reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks contributes to this trend. It is crucial that individuals consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice on reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attack,” Dr. Khullar concludes.
The consequences of a heart attack are serious and can lead to long-term damage or even death. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy diet, practicing regular physical activity, quitting smoking and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Early detection through regular health exams can also help identify and manage risk factors before they lead to a heart attack.
Overall, prioritizing heart health and taking proactive steps to prevent heart disease are critical, especially as people reach middle age and beyond.
Read all the latest lifestyle news here