Patna: Heart disease is increasingly being seen among younger people, challenging the perception that it is primarily a condition affecting the elderly. Changing lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits and declining physical activity are emerging as concerns among children, adolescents and young adults.
The findings are based on a survey conducted by the Bihar chapter of the Cardiological Society of India across five major hospitals in Patna — Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC), IGIMS, NMCH, PMCH and AIIMS Patna.
According to the survey, 11,209 patients died during treatment at the five hospitals over the past eight months since January. Around 40% of these deaths were attributed to heart attacks, with minors and young adults accounting for 15% of the heart attack cases, according to the findings cited by the survey.
Heart blockages reported among teenagers
IGIC recorded a particularly notable number of young patients seeking treatment for heart-related conditions.
Over the eight-month period, 247 patients aged between 15 and 18 were admitted with heart disease and diagnosed with heart blockages at the institute.
When cases reported across the five hospitals and some private centres are combined, the number of such cases is estimated at around 672.
Doctors have also reported coronary blockages among young adults aged 19 to 25, a development they describe as unusual at such an early age.
Doctors point to lifestyle and other risk factors
Treating physicians have identified factors including excess weight, obesity, high blood pressure and low physical activity among the concerns associated with these cases.
Doctors, however, say that when coronary blockages are detected at a very young age, other factors also need to be investigated. These include a family history of cholesterol-related problems, congenital conditions, underlying diseases and other serious risk factors.
Screen time adding to inactivity
Doctors and senior physicians have also raised concerns about increasing screen time among children and young people.
Long periods spent sitting for studies, entertainment or mobile-phone use can reduce overall physical activity. At the same time, frequent consumption of calorie-dense fast food may contribute to weight gain and metabolic problems, including high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.
According to physicians, a combination of an unhealthy diet and inadequate physical activity can adversely affect children’s long-term cardiovascular health.
Patna draws emergency heart patients from across Bihar
Patna has also emerged as a major referral destination for patients experiencing heart attacks because of the availability of specialised cardiac treatment and Cath Labs.
Patients from around 14 districts, including Vaishali, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, Ara, Chhapra, Nawada, Madhepura, Gopalganj and Nalanda, are reportedly being brought to Patna for emergency treatment.
Those who reach a cardiac facility during the crucial golden hour can receive emergency treatment at the Cath Labs of IGIC on Ashok Rajpath or IGIMS on Bailey Road.
Doctors say angioplasty may also remain possible for some patients arriving later, depending on their condition and treatment received before reaching the hospital. Eight private hospitals in Patna currently have operational Cath Labs.
Doctors urge healthier habits from childhood
Senior physicians advise parents to pay greater attention to children’s everyday diets and activity levels.
They caution against making fried foods, excessive salt and sugar, unhealthy fats and fast food regular components of a child’s diet. Instead, children should be encouraged to consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutritious foods.
Regular physical activity and limiting prolonged periods of inactivity are also being emphasised as important parts of a healthier lifestyle.
The emerging cases among adolescents and young adults underline the need for greater awareness of cardiovascular risk factors from an early age, doctors say.
