Focus on youths with weak hearts after 33-yr-old’s death

Kolkata: Typically associated with the elderly, cardiac conditions have now become common among the relatively younger population, with heart attacks claiming an increasing number of individuals in their 30s and 40s in the city. The latest is actor Pranab Chatterjee (33), who died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest. Doctors said more and more individuals in their 30s and early 40s are being diagnosed with heart ailments, calling for early detection and treatment. They said, in case of the younger population, the symptoms are often subtle, and ignored. "Changes in lifestyle — less physical activity, changed food habits, increased screen time and addictions like nicotine and alcohol — can put the younger generation at risk of developing heart issues early," said interventional cardiologist Dilip Kumar of Manipal Hospital EM Bypass. The 33-year-old actor's friend Alokananda Guha said he was taken to the hospital on Tuesday morning after he suffered a heart attack, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Chatterjee was known for his roles in serials like ‘Tentulpata', ‘Neem Phuler Madhu' and ‘Sriman Bhogoban Das', and also hosted a cookery show on YouTube. Cardiac surgeon Debasis Das of Narayana Hospital Howrah said while lack of physical activity is bad for the heart, pushing too hard with heavy exercise, like in the gym, which is unregulated among the younger lot, can also cause cardiac arrest. "There is the possibility of a younger adult harbouring a significant cardiac condition without overt symptoms, which they may ignore as that of acidity or gastric issues," Das said.Guha added that Chatterjee had recently married and was under severe financial pressure. "Though he was a capable actor, offers had stopped coming, and he was hurt by what he saw as the industry's indifference, including people not returning his calls. In the last few days, he was experiencing panic attacks," she said. Cardiologist Sunip Banerjee of Kolkata Heart Lung Centre and Research Institute said conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes in a rising number of younger persons is putting them at risk of developing heart diseases. "Rising air pollution and mental stress can add to developing cardiovascular diseases," he said. Health experts recommend preventive check-ups for those in the high-risk category. "While professionals who have physically demanding jobs should go for regular screening, the rest should go for it by 30 years. Those with heart issues in the family should go for screening even earlier," said Kumar.