Why fit, healthy people have heart attacks? Here are steps you can take to reduce the risk

Why fit, healthy people have heart attacks? Here are steps you can take to reduce the risk

Updated: Feb 26, 2018 | 11:36 IST | Times Now Digital

Even healthy people can have a heart attack.   | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

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New Delhi: The untimely demise of Bollywood legendary actor Sridevi on Saturday night (February 24) in Dubai following a sudden cardiac arrest has not only shocked the entire nation but also raised serious health concerns. The iconic actor, who was also a dancer all her life, was fit and healthy. She frequently posted pictures of her workouts. She exuded elegance in her appearances - her photos and videos of the function that were now being shared on social media as her ‘last’ were the proof. Also, as per her friends’ accounts, the diva, who redefined grace and beauty in Hindi cinema, led a healthy lifestyle. Her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor also confirmed that the actress had no past history of heart problems.

Although we don’t really know what the cause of her death was, the doctors in the UAE said she had suffered a cardiac arrest. Sridevi was in Dubai, along with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi, to attend the marriage function of Boney Kapoor's nephew Mohit Marwah. The medical team had failed to revive her after the actor had collapsed in her hotel room in Dubai on Saturday evening. She was declared dead when she was taken to the hospital. Read: Actor Sridevi dies of cardiac arrest in Dubai; here's all you need to know about this fatal malady

Healthy people can have heart attacks too

While most heart attacks do affect people with usual risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, experts warn that even those who lead a virtuous life can suffer from one as well. The claims for ‘fit people can have heart attacks too’ have been gaining credence in recent years, and Sridevi’s death points to one of such many instances. Also, the New York Times had earlier reported about Bob Harper, a celebrity fitness trainer, who suffered a heart attack and went into a cardiac arrest last February. Known for whipping contestants into shape on hit TV show 'The Biggest Loser', Mr Harper was found to have high levels of lp(a) in his blood. The report added that only a few doctors ask their patients to check for levels of lipoprotein (a) or lp(a), a type of cholesterol linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 

The connection between heart attack and cardiac arrest

Truth is, heart disease is extremely common and is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. And a cardiac arrest can happen even without a family history of cardiac issues. Poor cardiovascular health, heart diseases, arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats are some of the other factors that may disrupt the working of the heart and trigger cardiac arrest. But, a heart attack is one of the many factors that lead to cardiac arrest. According to Mayo Clinic, a sudden cardiac arrest occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Hidden risk factors that may lead to heart attacks

We all know that a family history of cardiovascular disease raises a person's risk of heart disease and heart attack. In older people, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other such health issues can lead to heart disease. But you may not know about the rare heart disorders that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young people, says WebMD.

“The underlying conditions in young people are very different from the underlying conditions in somebody who is 50 or 60 years old. In the younger people, we're looking for inherited diseases of the myocardium (the heart's muscular tissue), of the electrical system, and then, of course, congenital heart diseases,” Christine E Lawless, MD, MBA, a cardiologist and sports medicine doctor in Chicago, told WebMD.

Ethnicity also plays a role when it comes heart disease. Statistics show that South Asians have a greater risk of coronary heart disease than the general population, which could lead to a heart attack. This may be linked to different ways of metabolising fat and sugar in the body.

Dr Ashok Seth, Head of Cardiology at Fortis Hospitals, told the Quint that a person who looks healthy could also be living with a blockage in their arteries, which could lead to a cardiac arrest at times. “Indians are predisposed to coronary artery disease. Even when we are very particular about our exercise and well-being, we don’t know what is happening in the heart,” Dr Seth added.

Moreover, research has found that extreme exercise is associated with a greater risk of heart disease and heart attack, although researchers don’t know why. 

What can you do to prevent or reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack

A heart attack can occur at any age, but you’re never too young to start a heart-healthy lifestyle. All strokes and heart attacks are potentially preventable. Heart attack prevention should begin early in life - such as assessing your risk factors, identifying and treating the root causes of cardiovascular disease. There is nothing one can do about family history, but other risk factors can be controlled. Reducing your risk starts with smart choices and commitment to leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. They include:

• Eating a heart-healthy balanced diet consisting of plenty of fruit and vegetables, mainly focussing on fibre to help lower your risk of heart disease.
• Avoiding junk and other processed foods that are loaded with unhealthy fats, salt and sugar, all of which can lead to obesity - one major factor behind heart disease.
• Quitting smoking or avoiding binge drinking to reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Controlling your weight by staying physically active - an active lifestyle has been shown to be helpful in preventing a heart attack.
• Getting regular health checkups to detect any possible underlying risk factors.
• Managing your risk factors - high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, etc.

Also, if you are over 40, or if you have multiple risk factors, the American Heart Association recommends working especially closely with your doctor to address your risk of developing heart disease.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to optimise your care and take control of your heart health, no matter what your symptoms or lack thereof. It only takes a little extra effort, but doing all these things can benefit you in the long run, enabling you to lead a healthier, happier life.