gym-goers-in-india-face-surge-in-sudden-heart-attacks-killing-at-least-4-in-24-hrs

Health experts are cautioning gym goers, particularly those in their mid-30s and 40s, to undergo proper medical evaluation before starting their exercise routines, as instances of sudden heart attacks have resurfaced in India.

 

These incidents have tragically claimed the lives of at least four individuals—three young adults and one minor in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat over the past 24 hours.

 

In separate incidents, a 32-year-old man passed away at a gym in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday; a 17-year-old minor succumbed to a heart attack in Rajkot, Gujarat; and a 40-year-old man residing in Hanuman Madhi Chowk area also died due to a heart attack on Thursday.

 

Another 34-year-old man suffered a fatal heart attack while riding a bike in Navsari, Gujarat.

 

The resurgence of these fatal events has sparked fresh concerns regarding cardiovascular health, a trend that has seen a significant uptick in the country following the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The tragic deaths also recall incidents from the previous year, where several individuals collapsed during Garba events in Gujarat during Navratri, with at least 10 reported deaths attributed to heart attacks. Shockingly, the youngest victim was just 17 years old.

 

As per sources, major risk factors contributing to the rising prevalence of heart attacks in the country include tobacco smoking, unhealthy dietary habits characterised by excessive consumption of junk foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy oils, as well as a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity.

 

While heart attacks have been a longstanding concern, speculation has arisen regarding the potential role of the COVID virus and vaccines in increasing the risk.

 

This comes amid reports from British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca acknowledging that its Covid vaccine, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and marketed as Covishield in India, may elevate the risk of blood clots. Blood clots, which can narrow arteries leading to the heart, pose a significant risk factor for heart attacks.