Silent Heart Attack : The news that Vikas Sethi and other fitness freaks suddenly passed away due to a heart attack is not only shocking but also extremely worrying. This incident tells us that heart disease is no longer just an issue of the elderly, but even the youth are falling prey to it.
Usually we assume that heart problems come with age. But nowadays there are many types of heart diseases that grow slowly without any symptoms and can suddenly prove fatal. Something similar happened in the case of Siddharth Shukla and Vikas Sethi.
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Abnormal heart diseases are very dangerous because their symptoms are not visible in the beginning. Often people are not able to understand anything until some big incident happens. After the death of Vikas Sethi, many questions arise about heart diseases. Why is sudden heart attack increasing among the youth? Can only exercise and proper diet protect from heart diseases? Let’s understand in this special story.
First know what happened to Vikas Sethi
Vikas Sethi was known for his roles in famous TV shows like ‘Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, ‘Kahin To Hoga’ and ‘Sasural Simar Ka’. He passed away in his sleep on Sunday, September 8 in Nashik. His family says that the 48-year-old actor did not show any symptoms before his death and neither did he complain of any heart-related pain or discomfort. There was also no history of heart-related problems in his family. He took great care of his fitness.Â
However, in an interview with PTI, his wife Janhavi said that the actor had severe digestive problems before his death. Both of them had attended a family function in Nashik, where he suddenly complained of nausea and upset stomach.
“When we reached my mother’s place in Nashik, he vomited and had diarrhoea. He didn’t want to go to the hospital, so we asked them to call the doctor at home. He went to sleep after that. When I went to wake him up around 6 am (on Sunday), he was not there. The doctor there told us that he had passed away the previous night due to a heart attack in his sleep,” Jhanvi said.
Beware of silent heart attacks
UCLA Health has stated in an article that about 20% of heart attacks occur without any symptoms. At the same time, Cleveland Clinic has stated on the basis of a research report that 22% to 60% of all heart attacks are silent. Silent heart attacks may be more common in people who suffer from diabetes.
A silent heart attack is a heart attack that has little or no symptoms or the symptoms are hard to immediately recognize as signs of a heart attack. A silent heart attack may not cause chest pain or shortness of breath, which are usually associated with a heart attack.
People who have a silent heart attack may not even know it. They may feel as if they have heartburn, flu or a strained chest muscle. But in a silent heart attack, like all heart attacks, blood flow stops. Having a silent heart attack increases the chances of having a heart attack in the future. If you experience any unusual or mild symptoms that do not seem to be a cause for concern, it is wise to be cautious and consult a nearby doctor.
Can indigestion also cause heart attack?
Not all heart problems have obvious warning signs. Unlike the dramatic scenes shown in movies, the symptoms in real life can be more subtle. Some heart-related symptoms are not even felt in the chest. This makes it difficult to identify what is happening inside our body.
Symptoms like dizziness and chest pain are usually associated with a heart attack, while indigestion is usually caused by acidity or heartburn. Indigestion, nausea and vomiting can be caused by different conditions but these symptoms should not be ignored as they can also be a sign of a serious heart attack.
However, in 2016, a report in the American Heart Association’s Circulation Journal suggested that people suffering from heart attack may also have digestive problems. Therefore, the digestive system and liver should also be examined for the treatment of heart disease. It was also told that electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood test can confirm heart related diseases. Blood test can detect whether there is any pressure on the heart or not.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation below your breastbone that sometimes occurs after eating. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid travels back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. Heartburn is common after eating, in the evening or occasionally when lying down or bending over, reports the Mayo Clinic. It is usually not a cause for concern.
Normally when you swallow, a ring of muscle at the base of the esophagus loosens to allow food and liquids to pass into the stomach and then tightens. If this muscle doesn’t work properly, stomach acid can rise into the esophagus, causing acid reflux and heartburn. This condition is often worse when you lie down or bend over.
Why are cases of sudden heart attack increasing among the youth?Â
Heart attacks are increasing among the youth and people aged 30-40 years in India. According to a medical study published in October 2023, heart attack was the cause of 45% of deaths among people aged 40-69 years. In most cases, health problems like anxiety, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes were the main causes of heart attack. However, there may be some other reasons as well.Â
Some common factors that can cause a heart attack include eating a diet rich in cholesterol and trans-fats, not getting enough physical activity, drinking too much alcohol or smoking. The risk can also increase if someone in the family has had heart problems or high blood pressure. This is because there are certain genes that increase the risk of heart disease.
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