Apollo Hospitals Group founder and chairman Dr Prathap C. Reddy has raised concerns over the growing number of heart attack cases among young people.
He said South Asians may have a higher risk of suffering a heart attack at a younger age compared with other people.
According to Dr Reddy, the reason could be genetic. He said a famine that occurred in India around 300 years ago may have affected the bodies of later generations.
This could be one of the reasons why South Asians have a higher risk of suffering heart attacks at a younger age.
Dr Reddy said that when he started working in India, he continued to see many young people with heart-related problems.
He said the issue received significant attention after three Indian doctors died in a duty room in 1991.
At that time, a lack of physical activity and foods such as ghee and coconut oil were considered possible reasons for heart attacks among young people.
Later research suggested that the risk of early heart attacks among South Asians may also be linked to their genes and genetic make-up.
Young people need to stay alert
Dr Reddy said young people should not ignore the risk of heart attacks. Regular health check-ups, a healthy diet, daily physical activity and monitoring their health as advised by a doctor are important.
