Heart attacks are no longer limited to older people. In recent years, doctors are seeing a worrying increase in heart attacks among women under 40 years of age. Stressful lifestyles, long work hours, irregular sleep and ignorance of early symptoms are the main reasons for this trend. But the biggest challenge is that young women often don’t realize that their symptoms may be related to the heart.
The first signs that young women often ignore
Symptoms in younger women are often subtle and easy to misjudge. These include:•Severe tiredness that feels unusual or unexplained•Shortness of breath, even when walking or climbing stairs• Discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, or upper stomach.•Nausea, dizziness or sudden sweating.•Chest pressure, not always severeBecause these signs resemble heartburn, anxiety, or weakness, many women continue with their routine without seeking help.
Why Women Under 40 Miss Warning Signs
1. Stress, work pressure and lifestyle problemsYoung women often blame their symptoms on long work hours, lack of sleep, or mental stress.2.Belief that “I am too young to have a heart problem”This leads to denial and delay in reaching the hospital.3.Hormonal changes and anemia.Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid problems and low hemoglobin levels (common in young women) increase the strain on the heart.4. Skipping regular medical checkupsMany young women avoid routine tests, assuming that everything is fine because they are active or appear fit.5.Shortcuts for smoking and exerciseIncreasing smoking rates, strict diets and extreme exercise can also increase heart risk.
A growing trend that needs awareness
India has seen a sharp increase in heart attacks among the young population, almost 30% more than a few years ago. Young women often dismiss symptoms as stress or gastric problems, resulting in delayed treatment.
What should young women do?
Don’t ignore shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or chest and upper body discomfort. Get timely checkups, manage stress, exercise regularly, and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear. Early action can save lives.Dr Naveen Bhamri, Vice President and Head of Department of Cardiology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
