Silent epidemic: Why is there a rise in heart attacks among young people?
New Delhi: In a shocking twist of fate, heart attacks are no longer confined to the elderly. Recent studies and government data reveal a disturbing rise in cardiovascular emergencies striking people under 40, turning youth into sudden victims of what was once considered an "old person’s" disease.
Alarming Statistics
A study from Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College found that 15% of individuals under 40 had advanced arterial plaque—a sharp jump from only 10% in 2013. In Karnataka’s Hassan district, 507 incidents of heart attacks were reported in just two years, claiming 190 lives, disproportionately affecting younger adults.
Reasons Behind The Surge
Young lives dominated by fast food, sugary drinks, and ultra‑processed meals are fueling diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol—all potent heart‑attack risk factors. Desk-bound jobs, binge-watching, screen addiction, and even over-exercising without medical supervision are contributing to cardiovascular breakdowns
Chronic stress from work, finances, and social media, combined with insomnia, releases cortisol and adrenaline, damaging the heart over time. Tobacco, vaping, substance use (including cocaine), and heavy drinking damage blood vessels, promote clotting, and induce hypertension. India’s poor air quality, laden with PM₂.₅ particles, inflames arteries and spikes blood pressure—even in seemingly healthy urban dwellers
Expert Opinions
Speaking to Mathrubhumi, Dr Abhilash Mishra, Interventional Cardiologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai, said that there is a worrying rise in heart attacks among young people, even those in their 20s and 30s. “This trend is disrupting as a large number of youngsters are losing their precious lives. Various concerning factors, such as stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, and irregular sleep, are the reasons behind heart attacks. Many young people tend to ignore warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, or extreme tiredness. However, it is imperative to seek timely attention,” the doctor said.
Dr Mishra also said that long hours of sitting, fast food, and skipping regular health check-ups are putting young hearts at risk. Stress from work, studies, and social pressure is also adding to the problem in many people. He said, “It is essential to take utmost care of the heart. Make sure to exercise on a regular basis, eat home-cooked food, de-stress by opting for relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation, quit smoking and alcohol, get a sound sleep at night, and go for regular cardiac screening as suggested by the doctor. Be extra cautious if you have a family history of a heart attack. Don’t ignore the signs given by the body. So, remember that it is better to be safe than sorry. Protect your heart, lead a healthy life.”
Dr Narasimha Pai, HOD and Consultant Cardiology, KMC Hospital Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, Mangalore said that Coronary artery disease generally takes years to progress, and you can have the condition in your later years of life because of years of fat buildup in the arteries. But now, patients in their 30s are showing up with full-blown heart attacks. Non-modifiable risk factors like genetics and family history are involved, but it is usually necessary for them to have a trigger, which is typically an unhealthy lifestyle.
Speaking about the emerging fear about the improper use of fitness supplements, Dr Chirag D, Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, said that anabolic steroids, as well as high-intensity gym regimens that are putting cardiac stress into their bodies, particularly young men. Add to that the paradox of growing mental health burden and constant digital saturation, and you get a toxic mix that takes a big hit on cardiovascular health.”
Speaking about the mental health concerns behind this disturbing trend, Pune-based psychologist and psychotherapist, Dr Shruti Khare, said that as a psychologist, her mind immediately goes to something we often overlook: the massive psychological toll our modern world is taking. “Behind the takeout meals, insomnia, and endless scrolling lies a deeper issue of unchecked stress. What we frequently refer to as "bad habits" are coping strategies for the extreme stress that youngsters experience,” Dr Khare said.
Youngsters are pushed to disregard their emotional needs by unrealistic expectations of achievement, health, and attractiveness, as well as the "no pain, no gain" mentality, Dr Khare mentioned. “This is a generation that suppresses their feelings of sadness, rage, and worry until it manifests physically is the result of the stigma associated with mental health. Stress must no longer be accepted as a normal lifestyle and must instead be treated as the serious health concern that it is. The answer is a culture change rather than merely self-care because emotional burnout is no longer the only topic we are discussing. We are witnessing it manifest physically,” she added.