The recent surge in sudden cardiac arrests among young individuals highlights the urgent need for heart health awareness. In India, heart disease is responsible for the deaths of 1 in 4 people. Alarmingly, 33% of these fatalities are sudden and unexpected.
The Reality of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, is often misunderstood as a sudden event. However, the truth is far more insidious. Here’s what you need to know:
💔 It’s the No. 1 Killer: Both in India and globally, atherosclerosis remains the top cause of mortality.
🌍 Ubiquitous and Inevitable: Most people either die from it or with it.
⏳ Starts Early: The condition can begin in the teenage years but takes decades to manifest.
👩🦰 Women at High Risk: Women are 10 times more likely to die from atherosclerosis than from breast cancer.
🩺 Known Yet Preventable: Medical advancements offer ways to delay its progression.
📅 Age as a Major Risk Factor: Age is the strongest predictor of risk.
⚠️ Cholesterol Misunderstood: Cholesterol is essential for life; it’s not inherently good or bad. Instead, it’s the transportation and accumulation processes that lead to atherosclerosis.
What Causes Atherosclerosis?
Cholesterol and triglycerides, both hydrophobic, require transportation through the bloodstream in lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are wrapped with a protein called apoB. The number of apoB particles—not their weight—is the true predictor of risk.
Here’s how the process unfolds:
🔬 Lipoprotein Penetration: apoB particles travel inside blood vessels and get stuck in the endothelial layer, causing oxidative stress.
🛡️ Inflammatory Response: The body sends “soldiers” to fight and repair the damage.
⚡ Escalation: Continued damage accelerates the repair process, leading to plaque formation and narrowed vessels.
🚫 Critical Blockage: The restricted blood flow results in heart attacks or strokes.
What You Can Do
Proactive measures can significantly delay or reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Here’s how you can take charge of your heart health:
🔬 Regular Testing
- For international readers: Test for apoB or LDL-P to measure risk decades in advance.
- In India: Use LDL-C as a proxy and work with your cardiologist to manage high levels.
💊 Medication
- Consider statins or PCSK9 inhibitors if necessary, as prescribed by your doctor.
🚭 Manage Major Contributors
- Quit smoking.
- Control blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication.
🏃 Exercise
- Regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for heart health.
💤 Prioritize Sleep
- Sleep for at least 8 hours nightly. Even a 2-hour deficit can increase heart attack risk by 200%.
🍽️ Mind Your Diet
- Avoid overeating. Excess energy is converted into triglycerides, increasing the number of lipoprotein vehicles and the risk of atherosclerosis.
Advanced Detection
Modern technologies like CT scans can detect blockages early, offering a chance to intervene before significant damage occurs.
Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Atherosclerosis may be a universal threat, but with awareness and proactive care, its impact can be delayed. While the risk may remain, you can fight back by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Heart disease doesn’t wait. Neither should you. Make the changes today for a healthier tomorrow.
#HeartHealth #Atherosclerosis #WakeUpIndia
