Is Your Body Begging For Help? Hidden Signs To Spot A Heart Attack
Heart attacks in India are increasing among adults aged 30-49 due to sedentary lifestyles, stress, and poor diets. Early detection is crucial, as symptoms can be subtle.
Imagine waking up feeling drained, with a strange pressure in your chest and a gut feeling that something's off. You chalk it up to stress or a rough night's sleep. But what if your body is sounding an alarm about something more serious?
Heart attacks in India are no longer just an 'old age" concern. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that cardiovascular diseases are behind over 25% of all deaths in the country.
A 2020 study in The Lancet revealed a sharp increase in heart attacks among adults aged 30 to 49 in the past two decades.
Sedentary routines, chronic stress, and unhealthy eating habits are accelerating this trend, affecting Indians in the prime of their lives.
Why Early Detection Matters?
Spotting the early signs of a heart attack can be life-saving. Catching a heart attack early can drastically improve outcomes.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), seeking treatment within the 'golden hour"—the first 60 minutes after symptoms appear—can reduce damage to the heart muscle by up to 50%.
Then there are the 'silent" heart attacks—those that occur without the hallmark chest pain.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that almost 50% of heart attacks may be silent, particularly in women and older adults.
These often go unnoticed until an ECG picks up heart damage later. In India, where heart disease is the top killer, paying attention to the less obvious symptoms is more important than ever, especially for younger adults with high-risk lifestyles.
Subtle Symptoms That Could Signal Trouble
Your body often starts whispering days—or even weeks—before a heart attack hits. Trusted sources like the Mayo Clinic and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) highlight these symptoms to watch for:
These signals can be faint or infrequent, but if they stick around or occur together, don't ignore them.
Why People Miss These Warning Signs?
In India, there's a deep-rooted cultural habit of toughing things out. According to the Indian Heart Journal (2023), many people hesitate to report vague discomforts, preferring to push through them.
Plus, symptoms like fatigue or nausea are so general that they're often blamed on stress, bad food, or lack of sleep (Mayo Clinic).
Media portrayals haven't helped either—most show heart attacks as dramatic events with someone clutching their chest and collapsing.
In real life, especially for women, the signs are often far subtler. According to ICMR, young adults also frequently believe they're too young to worry, which delays diagnosis and treatment.
Who's At The Greatest Risk?
Certain risk factors significantly increase your chances of a heart attack, according to the WHO and ICMR:
Unhealthy Lifestyle: Smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, and chronic stress are major contributors in India.
Existing Medical Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity all raise the risk.
Family History: If close relatives had early heart disease, your genetic risk is higher.
Ethnicity: South Asians, including Indians, are more genetically predisposed (Nature, 2020).
What Should You Do If You Notice These Signs?
If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, take action immediately:
A heart attack doesn't always shout, it often whispers. In India, where heart disease is claiming younger lives than ever, learning to spot subtle red flags like chest discomfort, fatigue, or breathlessness could save your life.
About the Author
Surbhi Pathak
Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11.
The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
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July 20, 2025, 09:26 IST
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