Mumbai: Nearly 60 pct of heart patients seek treatment only after 90 pct blockage, warn cardiologists

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Mumbai cardiologists are raising serious concerns over a growing trend in heart disease management, nearly 60 per cent of patients seek treatment only after their coronary arteries are 80-90 per cent blocked, putting them at a high risk of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. Experts emphasise that timely action, early detection, and regular health check-ups are crucial to protect the heart and save lives.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, limiting oxygen-rich blood flow. This condition develops silently over several years, often without noticeable symptoms. Early warning signs may include mild chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, or palpitations, but many patients ignore these signs. Left untreated, CAD can lead to severe complications, including heart attacks, arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Risk factors include sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, chronic stress, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Alarmingly, cardiologists across Mumbai and Maharashtra are observing an increase in heart attacks among people in their 30s-40s, traditionally considered a lower-risk group.

Dr Abhilash Mishra, cardiologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar West said, "Coronary artery disease develops silently over several years. However, due to a lack of awareness and delayed health check-ups, approximately 60 per cent of patients aged 35-50 ignore early warning signs such as chest discomfort or palpitations and approach hospitals only when their arteries are 80-90 per cent blocked. Sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, chronic stress, unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity increase the risk of coronary artery disease. These factors accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. If left untreated, this can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. Alarmingly, heart attacks are increasingly being seen in people in their 30s and 40s, an age group traditionally considered at lower risk. This trend highlights the impact of lifestyle factors and the need for early screening and preventive care. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial to prevent these life-threatening outcomes."

Dr Mishra, further added, "Managing heart disease effectively requires a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and, when necessary, interventional procedures. Simple measures such as regular check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol control, and stress management can prevent severe outcomes and save lives. Patients should focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and avoiding smoking or alcohol. In advanced cases, treatments like angioplasty, stent placement, or bypass surgery can save lives, while regular cardiac check-ups help detect problems early and prevent serious complications."
Sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, chronic stress, unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are major risk factors for heart disease. Together, they accelerate artery blockages and increase the likelihood of serious cardiac events

Dr Upasana Garg, regional technical chief, Apollo Diagnostic, Mumbai further explains, "Sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, stress, poor diet, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are key contributors to heart disease. These factors collectively increase the risk of artery blockages and serious cardiac events. Approximately 40 per cent of patients aged 35-50 tend to overlook early warning signs like chest discomfort or palpitations, seeking medical help only when their arteries are already 80-90 per cent blocked. Many patients wait too long to seek care because mild symptoms such as mild chest pressure, fatigue, indigestion, and unexplained sweating are often ignored or attributed to stress. Unfortunately, by the time they reach the hospital, their arteries are critically blocked. Raising awareness about early signs, encouraging routine screenings yearly, and adopting heart-healthy habits can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks and save the heart. These early screenings include blood tests like sugar and hba1c monitoring, lipid profile, hsCRP levels (a good indicator for cardiac events) and Apo lipoprotein levels (for advanced lipid monitoring). Blood tests along with monitoring tests like TMT as well as a heathy lifestyle goes a long way to maintain a good heart."