Why are men in their 30s and 40s getting sudden heart attacks while working out? Isn’t regular exercise good for heart health?
Regular exercise is definitely good for the body and beneficial for the heart. But an excess of anything isn’t good for anyone. Sudden heart attacks in perfectly healthy, gym-going people are probably owing to lack of sleep, severe stress, unhealthy eating/binging habits, getting up early and hitting the gym after a late night and, in some cases, substance abuse. Young gym-goers are often prescribed protein supplements for building more muscle. Most of these supplements are not as healthy as they seem.
Some are getting heart attacks despite health reports showing no apparent risks…
Health check-ups will predict a person’s condition only up to a point. They detect diseases or pre-existing conditions at the time of the check-up. One can’t expect them to predict future events accurately. A lot of these heart attacks are caused by sudden plaque ruptures in what are apparently healthy-looking arteries — exposing cholesterol deposits to flowing blood that forms a clot and blocks blood flow. If we have any specific symptoms, it should be brought to the attention of the doctor conducting the health check-up even if the reports are normal.
Are men more prone to heart problems?
Yes, being male is itself a risk factor for developing heart disease. Women are naturally protected by oestrogen. However, many studies have confirmed that after menopause, women experience a similar risk of heart disease as men owing to a fall in oestrogen levels. Apart from this, poor lifestyle, stress, inadequate sleep, sedentary behaviour, diabetes, and addiction to smoking, alcohol and drugs have led to a significant increase in heart attacks among women as well.
At what age should one go for a cardiac check-up, and what tests are recommended?
Someone with a family history of heart disease (with primary relatives having had a cardiac event at a younger age) should go for a heart check-up by the age of 35 or 40, and do it once in two years unless new symptoms require earlier checks. Genomic testing is also available in many centres for such people.
Should people with a heart condition hit the gym?
Those with a previously diagnosed heart condition or people having had heart attacks and heart surgery in the past can join a gym, but only under medical supervision. The cardiologist should decide the intensity and duration of exercise. Ideally, the person should have an ACLS/BCLS certified trainer who knows the type of exercises a cardiac patient can or cannot do. Most cardiac patients can do the regular exercises that they have been doing in the past, but one should know one’s physical limitations. Overdoing anything is not in your best interest.
How does a person know if they are exercising too hard?
You need to listen to your body — if you’re feeling tired, it’s important to stop and rest. Exercise should be done with proper training, and each session should include a warm-up before and a cool-down after. A useful guideline is to calculate your maximum heart rate using the formula 220 minus your age. For example, if you are 30 years old, your maximum heart rate is 190 beats per minute (bpm). During exercise, aim to keep your heart rate between 50% and 85% of this rate (between 95 bpm and 162 bpm). Try to avoid staying above 80-90% of your maximum heart rate for extended periods. Trained athletes often have well-regulated heart rates and blood pressure responses, which helps them maintain their fitness levels.
