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Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Is this a heart attack? These are the warning signs every man must know
Have you ever felt a strange tightness in your chest and shrugged it off as gas, fatigue, or just a bad day? You're not alone, but that 'shrug' could be a life-threatening mistake. Men often miss or misread the warning signs of a heart attack. Let's break down what your body is trying to tell you, and exactly what you should do when it happens. According to Dr Sanjeeva Kumar Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist at CK Birla Hospital, the classic signs of a heart attack in men include: Chest pain or pressure (often described as tightness or squeezing) Pain radiating to the arms, jaw, back, or neck Shortness of breath Sweating Nausea or lightheadedness But here's the kicker—many men experience 'silent' symptoms: fatigue, mild chest discomfort, dizziness, or even what feels like bad indigestion. These subtle signals, especially if they occur during exertion or stress, could be your heart waving a red flag. Is it a heart attack or just indigestion or anxiety? Here's how to tell the difference: Indigestion: Usually stays in the upper abdomen and feels like bloating or burning. Anxiety: May cause chest tightness or rapid heartbeat but doesn't involve radiating pain. Heart attack: Often sudden, worsens with exertion, and doesn't ease with rest or antacids. Dr Gupta's advice? 'When in doubt, assume it's cardiac. Don't wait it out.' Do age, fitness, or erectile issues affect heart attack risk? Yes. Even younger or fit men aren't immune. They may experience: Unexplained fatigue Breathlessness Dizziness Which daily habits are silently increasing your heart risk? The usual suspects are: Smoking Junk food Lack of exercise Stress Poor sleep Excess alcohol Chronic stress and sleep deprivation impact blood pressure and heart rhythm. Add in high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension, and the risk compounds. Does family history increase your chances of heart disease? Yes. If your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, your risk rises sharply. Dr Gupta advises starting heart screenings in your 30s: Blood pressure Blood sugar Cholesterol ECG or stress tests What should you do immediately if you think you're having a heart attack? Dr Nishith Chandra, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, recommends: Recognise the symptoms: Chest pain, nausea, cold sweat, breathlessness. Stop everything: Sit or lie down. Don't move or drive. Call emergency services immediately. Chew an aspirin (300–325 mg) to help restore blood flow. Stay calm: Breathe slowly to reduce panic. How can you prepare your home for a heart emergency? Dr Chandra advises: Keep aspirin handy—bedside, wallet, car, kitchen. Learn hands-only CPR (100–120 chest compressions per minute). Make an emergency card with medical info. Consider an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if there's family history. Teach your family how to act fast. What is life like after a heart attack, and what to avoid? Dr Chandra outlines: Do's Rest for 2–4 weeks Join cardiac rehab early Follow medication schedule Get medical clearance before resuming work, sex, or exercise Address emotional wellbeing Don'ts Don't rush into heavy work or workouts Don't skip follow-ups Don't stop meds just because you 'feel fine' Don't ignore anxiety or emotional distress When is it safe to return to work, workouts, or sex after a heart attack? Work: Light jobs after 2–3 weeks; heavy labour after 6–8 weeks (with clearance) Exercise: Start walking in week one, rehab in week two; no HIIT without clearance Sex: Usually safe after 2–4 weeks. Rule of thumb: if you can climb two flights of stairs, you're likely fit. Warning: Don't mix ED meds with heart meds without doctor's approval. What heart tests should men do in their 30s, 40s, and 50s? Dr Shimi Pahuja, Consultant Pathologist at Metropolis Healthcare, recommends: In your 30s: Blood pressure Lipid profile Fasting blood sugar Body Mass Index (BMI) In your 40s & 50s: HbA1c High-sensitivity CRP ECG & Exercise Stress Test Troponin & BNP Coronary calcium scan (if family history) Chest X-ray Can a smartwatch help detect heart issues early? Maybe. Many smartwatches track: Irregular heart rate Atrial fibrillation Low physical activity Some also offer ECG apps. They're not diagnostic tools but can prompt timely medical checks. Final word: Don't wait for pain to turn into panic Heart attacks can start quietly—mild chest pressure, fatigue, or just feeling 'off.' Listen to your body. You only get one heart. Don't ignore it.
News18
23-04-2025
- Health
- News18
Heart Attack Risk May Drop For Millions With Wonder Drug That Reduces Cholesterol By 94%
Last Updated: A US pharma company has developed an experimental drug that reduces lipoprotein(a) cholesterol by 94% with a single injection, offering new hope for heart attack prevention. A revolutionary breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine has emerged from the United States, offering new hope for millions at risk of heart attacks due to stubborn cholesterol buildup. US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has developed an experimental drug that reportedly slashes levels of a notoriously difficult form of cholesterol by an astonishing 94% – with a single injection. The drug targets lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetic variant of cholesterol that behaves similarly to the more familiar LDL, often dubbed 'bad cholesterol." However, Lp(a) is markedly more dangerous. It adheres rapidly to arterial walls, accelerating the onset of atherosclerosis – the hardening and narrowing of arteries – and significantly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Unlike LDL, which can often be managed through diet, lifestyle, and existing medications, Lp(a) has long resisted conventional treatment. In a phase 2 clinical trial conducted by Eli Lilly, 141 participants received a 400 mg dose of the investigational drug. Another 69 individuals were administered a placebo. The results, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, presented that within weeks, recipients of the drug showed a dramatic 94% reduction in Lp(a) levels, an effect that lasted up to six months with no reported side effects. 'This is a very promising development," said Dr Nitish Chandra, Principal Director at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi. Until now, no therapy has effectively targeted Lp(a). Even blood-thinning medications can't remove this cholesterol from arteries and because Lp(a) is largely inherited, patients often face lifelong risk without any means of intervention, he said. Currently, individuals with severe cholesterol blockage – more than 75% arterial narrowing – typically require a stent implantation to reduce the threat of a cardiac event. Conventional medications fail to dissolve cholesterol once it has significantly accumulated in the arteries, making prevention and early detection the primary strategies for at-risk patients. That may now change. The Eli Lilly trial is only the beginning. While the reduction in Lp(a) is clear, whether it translates into fewer heart attacks or strokes remains to be proven. A larger, more comprehensive clinical trial is already underway, aiming to determine the drug's impact on long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Results from that trial are expected soon. Meanwhile, Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis is also in the race, developing a competing drug that requires monthly injections. Both treatments could potentially reshape the landscape of cardiac care, particularly for individuals with genetically elevated cholesterol who have, until now, had limited options. First Published:
