In a shocking case, a 24-year-old woman, with no history of addictions or obesity, suffered a severe heart attack. According to doctors, though cases of heart attack in younger men is becoming common, it was less likely for young women to suffer one as estrogen protects against heart attacks.
Last week, Kumud Sharma (name changed) experienced severe chest pain and breathlessness, following which she was rushed to the hospital at 3.30 am. An electrocardiogram test showing the muscular and electrical signal of the heart displayed clear signs of major heart attack. “Further tests revealed that 60 per cent of her heart was affected, which was even more shocking and I immediately ordered for an angioplasty,” said Dr Haresh Mehta, senior cardiologist, Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle.
Dr Mehta was surprised ate the outcome as Ms Sharma does not have a family history of heart ailments. “She is a pure vegetarian, non-alcoholic and non-smoker. Neither is she involved in work requiring physical exertion, nor was she on oral contraceptive pills. She is not even obese. Every possibility we looked at got crossed out in her case,” said Dr Mehta.
Dr Mehta said women of her age were generally immune to heart attacks due to estrogen secretion which guards the heart, through decreased LDL cholesterol, increased HDL cholesterol, blood vessel relaxations and protection of blood vessel from injury. “There were no signs of a defective artery as found in Kawasaki disease in which medium sized blood vessels throughout the body get inflamed, increasing the chances of attack,” he added.
Ms Sharma was soon operated upon where it was getting increasingly difficult for doctors to save her. “But, eventually her condition improved and we were able to resuscitate her,” said Dr Mehta.
He added that more test results were awaited and the exact reason for the attack could not be stated. “It could be cholesterol which is very rare at her age, imbalanced homocystine level or immune mediated. But we cannot be too sure,” said Dr Mehta.
Dr Ramakant Panda from Asian Heart Institute said that heart attacks in women of Ms Sharma’s age were uncommon. “If she had no history of any kind which could have led to the attack, the case is very rare. Otherwise women above 30 are getting attacks due to their lifestyle,” said Dr Panda.
Taking Precaution
Visit a doctor if you have the following symptoms: Very fast and irregular heartbeat, chest pain or pain in your arms, neck, jaw or stomach, breathlessness, chills, swelling in legs and nausea Staying stress-free and eating healthy are some precautions that one can take to prevent heart failure
