A young man aged 24, who was preparing for the UPSC exam and living in Delhi, felt unwell overnight with chest pain. Initially, he assumed it was heartburn, took gas medication, and went to sleep. However, the pain persisted in the morning, prompting him to seek medical attention at a hospital for examination.
Routine blood tests and an ECG revealed heart problems. An angiography was performed, the results of which shocked the medical staff: it was discovered that the young man's heart arteries were blocked, and he had developed double coronary artery disease, leading to a heart attack. To save his life, he underwent angioplasty with stent placement in his heart.
This case heightens concerns among many young people regarding the risk of sudden heart attacks. In this instance, despite being only 24 years old, the young man was diagnosed with double coronary artery disease, a condition traditionally more common in people over 60. The incident occurred at Fortis Memorial Research Centre and Hospital in Gurugram. Dr. Sanjay Chivane, director of the cardiology department at this hospital, informed Aajtak.in about the case.
Dr. Sanjay explained that the student had been preparing for UPSC for many years, which led to lack of sleep, and he also smoked and had an unbalanced diet. He lived with friends, and due to studies and socializing with peers, he slept only 4–5 hours. It was the combination of these factors that led to the arterial blockage and the subsequent heart attack, which required stenting because the lumens were completely blocked.
Dr. Sanjay noted that heart attacks and coronary artery diseases are usually considered age-related pathologies that manifest after the age of 50–60. Nevertheless, this case demonstrates that heart problems can occur at a young age, especially with genetic factors and an extremely unfavorable lifestyle and diet.
At 24, the young man preparing for the UPSC exam learned about his heart condition. This news not only caused him great distress but also shocked his family. Doctors are now facing similar cases, emphasizing the need to understand that heart disease can affect anyone, especially if their lifestyle and diet are far from normal.
Experts recommend regular check-ups of blood pressure and lipid profiles every six months, dedicating at least half an hour daily to physical exercise, quitting smoking, and monitoring the quality of one's diet.