Heart health: More young hearts at risk, says Dr. Niranjan Hiremath

Every generation faces its own health challenge. For this one, it's stress. And the organ that often takes the silent hit is the heart. In a fast paced world, we live in a time where deadlines, devices, and constant demands define our days.

Even as new age technology makes life more efficient, it also keeps our minds in a state of continuous alertness. That “always on” feeling? It’s not just tiring—it’s dangerous for the heart.

The stress-heart connection
Stress by itself doesn’t cause heart-related problem, but it sets off a chain of reactions in the body that make the heart at risk. When the body is under stress, it releases cortisol and adrenaline -- hormones that raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and tighten blood vessels. Gradually over the time, this wears down the cardiovascular system.

These days, more and more people walk into clinics with symptoms like -- chest tightness, palpitations, or extreme fatigue. And often, after all the scans and check-ups come back normal, the real cause turns out to be something less visible -- anxiety, chronic stress, or sheer burnout.

But just because it isn’t a physical blockage doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Emotional stress can have a very real impact on the heart health. In people with underlying risks like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it can even act as the final trigger for a heart attack. The mind and heart are more connected than we realise -- and both need attention, care, and rest.

Younger hearts under pressure
There’s another concerning trend that’s hard to ignore. More people under 40 are experiencing serious heart issues than ever before. And these aren’t always the usual high-risk profiles. Many are young people -- managing tight deadlines, long sitting hours, poor sleep, and minimal physical activity. When high stress is added to that mix, it creates the kind of pressure the heart was never meant to bear, , and it becomes a perfect storm.

The truth is, the heart was designed to carry us through physical effort -- not to absorb the constant emotional strain of modern life. And over time, that overload begins to show.

Finding balance is key
Taking care of the heart today goes far beyond just eating right and exercising. It’s really about finding the right balance. That means knowing when to log off after work, making space for restful sleep, learning to say no without guilt, and making room for small joys --whether it’s listening to music, spending time in nature, or simply catching up with a friend.

Simple practices like regular movement, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and reducing screen time aren’t just trendy wellness tips -- they’re real heart protectors. So does laughter. So does feeling connected to others.

And then there’s the quiet importance of annual health check-ups. A yearly look at blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels can spot early signs long before symptoms appear. These gentle check-ins often make the biggest difference -- by catching the silent strains before they become emergencies.

A gentle reminder
This isn’t meant to create fear. It’s simply a gentle reminder that the heart is not just a pump -- it’s deeply connected to how we live, work, rest, and relate to others. In today’s fast-paced, stress-filled world, protecting the heart isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, consistent acts of balance.

Because at the end of the day, no goal, task, or deadline is ever more important than the quiet rhythm of a heartbeat.

Not just a man’s problem: Why women must watch their heart
For a long time, heart disease has long carried the label of being a “man’s disease.” But here’s the truth -- more women lose their lives to heart-related problems each year than from all forms of cancer combined. And yet, heart health remains one of the most misunderstood and overlooked areas when it comes to women’s wellbeing -- especially in India.

Many women believe they’re protected by hormones or a healthier lifestyle. But the reality is, once menopause sets in, the natural protection fades, and the risk of heart disease rises sharply. And, what makes it even more worrying is that heart symptoms in women often don’t look like the textbook signs -- they can feel like fatigue, breathlessness, or even mild indigestion. Far too often, these early warnings are unnoticed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as anxiety or indigestion.

It's time to change that. Because every heart deserves to be heard -- loud and clear.

Different signs, same danger
When it comes to heart attacks, the signs aren’t always loud -- especially in women. Unlike men who typically experience sharp chest pain during a heart attack, women may experience more subtle symptoms -- like shortness of breath, pain in the jaw or back, nausea, or unusual tiredness. These symptoms are easy to miss, especially when daily life is already packed with tight deadlines, household chores, and caregiving responsibilities.

There have been far too many cases where women delayed seeking help, thinking it was just acidity, stress, or tiredness. Only later did they find out they had suffered a mild heart attack. The truth is, early treatment can make all the difference -- but only if warning signs are taken seriously, and help is sought without delay.

Unique risk factors for women
Some health conditions affect women in ways that aren’t always obvious -- but they can quietly raise the risk of heart trouble. For instance, high blood pressure during pregnancy (like preeclampsia), early menopause, or autoimmune diseases such as lupus increase the risk of heart related problems. Early menopause, or conditions like lupus, can also increase heart risk over time. And for women living with diabetes, the chances of a heart attack are even higher than they are for men with the same diagnosis.

Emotional health matters too -- often more than we realise. Stress, anxiety, and depression tend to affect women differently and more deeply. And the heart, being sensitive to these emotional shifts, often feels the pressure first. That’s why caring for the heart isn’t just about numbers and tests -- it’s also about nurturing mental and emotional well-being, every single day.

Time to break the myth
Too often, women put their own health last. Between caring for family, managing work, and holding everything together, it's easy to skip meals, brush off symptoms, or postpone that long-overdue check-up. But this pattern of putting oneself last needs to change -- because the heart can only keep giving when it’s cared for too.

Simple lifestyle changes like 30 minutes of daily walking, eating balanced home-cooked meals, staying on top of check-ups, and finding ways to manage stress -- can go a long way.

It’s also important for women to know their numbers -- blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar levels, and body weight aren’t just stats for the doctor; they are personal indicators of long-term health. Understanding them means understanding your own health -- and that’s something every woman deserves.

A heart-strong message
Heart disease doesn’t discriminate -- it can affect anyone. It’s time to stop thinking of it as a man’s illness. Women must take charge of their heart health with the same attention and care they give to others. Because a strong heart doesn’t just beat -- it leads with love, nurtures families, holds space for others, and carries entire worlds within it.

And that kind of heart deserves to be protected, supported, and cared for -- just as deeply, and just as often.

Dr Niranjan Hiremath, Senior Consultant, Cardiovascular and Aortic Surgeon and Surgical Lead, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi