Young Hearts Are At Risk Due To Lifestyle Errors And Negligence

New age hustle culture, disrupted lifestyles, inadequate sleep, poor diets, rising stress and reluctance to undergo timely health check-ups are causing health risks among young people, with misconceptions about age often leading them to ignore warning signs. Regarding this Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta has raised major concerns and pointed out the loop holes. According to WHO data, 66 per cent of Indian adults aged 18 and above are physically inactive, while 72 per cent of adolescents aged 11–17 do not meet recommended activity levels. Cardiovascular diseases account for 27 per cent of India’s non-communicable disease deaths, with CVDs responsible for 45 per cent of deaths among people aged 40–69.India also has a 23.7 per cent probability of premature death between ages 30 and 70 from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. The figures highlight how physical inactivity and other modifiable lifestyle risks can contribute to India’s growing burden of NCDs and underline the importance of prevention and timely health checks.Trehan said modern work patterns, particularly among people working late-night jobs and online, are disrupting the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. “There are many, many professions which are disturbing the cycle of life. What we used to call normal variation is your body actually producing some hormones in synchrony with sunshine. But now, like you take people who are at call centres, they work online,” he said.He stressed that adequate sleep is essential for the body’s recovery. “Sleep is a very important element as we go a long way at discovering. Ideally, a person should sleep for 6 to 7 hours, which actually is enough to recharge your body,” Trehan said. Women may experience additional sleep disruption because hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can affect sleep quality. Research suggests women sleep slightly longer than men on average, rather than universally requiring an additional hour.Lifestyle Risks Start EarlyStress, poor diet and physical inactivity are among the key lifestyle concerns, Trehan said, as increasing competition and workplace and environmental pressures affect younger people. “Stress is another big thing that has happened to us in the sense that it’s a competitive world. There is environmental stress. There is road rage. There is no patience anymore,” he said.Rushed schedules can also result in irregular eating patterns and greater dependence on processed and junk food. Trehan said people need to consider not just what they eat, but also when and how much they consume. “If we really want to live healthier longer, the three things which are very important. One is what you eat, when you eat and how much you eat,” he said.He also linked obesity with greater vulnerability to diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, while emphasising regular exercise. “If you can incorporate 20 minutes, at least every day, preferably 40 minutes, a brisk walk or whatever you want to do,” Trehan said. He also recommended yoga and pranayama for managing stress.Myths Can Delay TreatmentA major misconception among younger people, Trehan said, is that serious illnesses are unlikely to affect them because of their age. “So the biggest myth is that a young person can believe that they will not get that disease or heart attack or cancer or something like that,” he said.He urged people to pay attention to unusual symptoms rather than dismissing them as age-related. “If you are 30 years of age and climbing three flights of step, you get short of breath, that’s not normal. You should be able to,” he said.Trehan also cautioned against delaying medical consultation because of a reluctance to discover a potential problem. “See, we must invest in our own health. That’s the message for today is to say you have to be in touch with yourself and if you need, like I’ve said, especially if you have family history of any disease, you should get yourself checked out and follow the advice from there,” he said.He added that increasing pressure is also affecting mental health, advising those who continue to feel overwhelmed to seek professional help. For young people, the message is clear: healthier eating, adequate sleep, regular exercise, stress management and timely medical attention can help prevent health concerns from becoming more serious.Read More