Tips to ensure our hearts beat healthy

As the age bracket for heart diseases gets younger, city cardiologists tell women what to do It's often said, women think from the heart. And as there's always so much to think, it definitely spells mighty stress and strain for your little hearts. But then again, that's what defines us, so it's very important our hearts beat healthy. City cardiologists are keen that awareness is whipped up on heart diseases concerning women, as the age bracket for heart diseases, particularly heart attacks, is getting younger. Dipping age concern Dr Vaibhav Dedhia says that though there's no standard age cut-off age for heart attacks, "The youngest patient I saw was just a 26-year-old." According to him, the changing social-scape, where more and more women are multi-tasking between home and work is one of the triggers. Agrees Dr Manoj Mashru, "While earlier, the target group comprised post-menopausal women, heart attacks are becoming more prevalent in pre-menopausal women." Factors affecting young hearts Of course, like any ailment, there are multiple external as well as internal factors involved. Apart from stress arising out of work and multi-tasking, Dr Vijay D'Silva also says, "Incidences of smoking among women is also going up, and is contributing to heart ailments." Plus, a strong family history of heart diseases automatically qualifies one to become susceptible, he says. Dr Dedhia says pollution is also one of the factors, "Air pollution is equivalent to smoking and takes a toll on your body." Even oral contraceptives increase the risk, as, "They decrease the viscosity of the blood, causing decrease in flow, thereby causing clot formation," he says. Dr Mashru also adds, "This scene can also be attributed to risk factors like diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure that's also on the rise among the younger population." Lifestyle changes most important Dr D'Silva says, women need to bring about a lifestyle change, particularly those with a family history of heart diseases. He suggests, "An active lifestyle, an exercise regime, a controlled diet and meditation." And if you take Dr Mashru's advise seriously you'd better get cracking, as he says, "In case of women, particularly, the pre-menopausal ones, diagnosis becomes a problem, they get an atypical chest pain. Even their ECGs are atypical such that one may not be able to suspect the oncoming of a coronary event." Regular tests for early tell-tale signs Cardiologists advise yearly check-ups and tests like ECG, blood sugar, cholesterol, stress test and lipid profile. Regular Blood Pressure check-up are also essential. Warning signs Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. Discomfort in upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath: With or without chest discomfort. Other signs: May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.