Heart attack, once considered a disease of old age, is now claiming the lives of younger people, too. The recent deaths of reality star and BJP leader Sonali Phogat, 42; actor Sidharth Shukla, 40; and actor Bramha Mishra, 36, of Mirzapur fame have again brought to the fore the rising number of heart ailments among younger citizens. As per medical experts, a decade ago, those aged between 30 and 45 only contributed to 1 or 2 per cent of heart attack deaths, which has increased to 15 to 20 per cent. Doctors pointed at lifestyle choices as the major reason. 

Unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, air pollution and adoption of western work culture are some of the reasons behind the rising heart ailments among the younger citizens, say doctors, adding that those who have just started their career at a competitive workplace are getting prone to heart  diseases. They, however, added that this may not always lead to fatality.