Heart attacks among youth: Experts suggest cardiac screening at high schools, colleges

With rising incidents of heart attack among those in 25-40 age group, a worrying trend in India, experts have recommended extensive cardiac screening at high schools and colleges as an effective measure to prevent such cases.

Changing lifestyle, food habits, high stress in urban areas, binge drinking and use of narcotics have increased the risk factors among youth. Now experts are not surprised to see a teenager or a 25-year-old becoming a victim of heart attack.

"A number of young Indians are suffering from this
The risk factors for a heart attack include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, use of substances
Neeraj Bhalla, senior consultant and director, Cardiology at BLK Super Specialty Hospital, said, "Obesity, high levels of unhealthy cholesterol and fat levels, diabetes and high blood pressure lead to premature or early heart attacks or severe heart disease in both young men and women."