Heart diseases have been one of the major causes of concerns in the country and now heart specialists are raising a serious alarm. In our nation, nearly 99% of heart attacks, along with associated events such as strokes or heart failure, can be tracked back to one or more (often overlooked) risk factors.
And these factors are notorious for not showing up when there is still time. These hidden risks only ever show symptoms when it’s too late, which makes it super difficult for anyone to detect and prevent until the situation is absolutely critical.
The four silent but powerful risk factors identified are:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
When arteries are facing consistent high pressure, the walls get damaged and plaque starts to build up. This forces the heart to work harder.
High cholesterol levels (especially high LDL / low HDL or abnormal lipid profile)
If you have a clogged or a stiffened circulation system, there are increased chances of a clot cutting off blood flow to the heart muscle.
Raised blood sugar / diabetes or pre-diabetes
Elevated glucose levels damage blood vessels over time, catalysing the risk of coronary events.
Tobacco use (smoking or related forms)
Smoking still remains as one of the most direct modifiable and visible risks as many individuals dismiss it or underestimate it until the damage is advanced.
What is striking is that each of these factors may quietly be existing in your body for years, without the classic signs such as chest-pain. And yet in the long-term, they dramatically increase the risk of a heart-attack. People also often assume that if they feel fine everything is okay, but the evidence suggests that’s a dangerous assumption.
Warning signs that you should absolutely not ignore
While heart attacks can happen suddenly, earlier flags can include recurring fatigue, chest discomfort or pressure, pain radiating to arms/neck/back, shortness of breath, nausea or excessive sweating.
If you have any of the four silent risk factors, these signs warrant urgent attention.