World Heart Day 2025: Who Is at Higher Risk of Heart Attack? Expert Advice on Key Risk Factors

Heart attacks are increasingly common in India, especially among younger people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 18 million people worldwide die annually from cardiovascular diseases, with heart attacks being a major cause. Key risk factors include an unhealthy lifestyle, chronic stress, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Lack of physical activity, poor diet, and inadequate sleep also contribute heavily. Genetic predisposition through a family history of heart disease further magnifies the risk.

Dr. Ajit Jain from Rajiv Gandhi Hospital explains that before a heart attack, the body signals danger through symptoms such as chest pressure, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or unusual fatigue—especially in women, who may also experience abdominal or back pain and nausea. Early recognition of these signs and prompt medical intervention can be life-saving.

Those at higher risk include the elderly, as aging increases arterial plaque buildup; patients with hypertension or diabetes, who face extra cardiac strain; smokers and heavy alcohol users, whose blood vessels constrict; obese individuals with elevated cholesterol and blood pressure; those with genetic heart disease history; and people leading stressful, sedentary lives.

Prevention involves walking or exercising for at least 30 minutes daily, adopting a low-fat, balanced diet, quitting smoking and alcohol, regularly monitoring blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels, managing stress through meditation, and ensuring adequate sleep. Individuals with family history should prioritize regular heart checkups to detect early warning signs.

World Heart Day 2025 serves as a vital reminder to understand personal heart risks and implement healthy lifestyle changes, reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease and improving longevity and quality of life.