Doctor explains why youngsters are dying from heart attacks – Firstpost
In today’s hyper-competitive corporate world, long working hours, relentless targets, and constant workplace pressure have made stress a daily reality. This rising corporate stress is no longer just a mental health concern - it is emerging as a serious threat to heart health, significantly increasing stress-related heart problems and overall cardiovascular risk among working professionals.
But beneath this culture of performance and productivity lies a growing health crisis - one that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a workplace health emergency. The surge in heart attacks due to work stress, corporate burnout, and unmanaged mental stress has raised urgent alarms about the long-term health risks of corporate pressure and its direct impact on the heart.
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To understand this silent epidemic and the need for heart health awareness, we spoke with Dr. Zeeshan Mansuri, Interventional Cardiologist at Narayana Hospital, Ahmedabad, who has been witnessing the dangerous link between workplace pressure and heart disease firsthand.
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Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) - the category that includes heart attacks - remain the leading cause of death, causing about 17.9 million deaths annually (before 2020). Representational image/Pexels
From a medical standpoint, are you seeing more heart-related issues among working professionals today?
Yes, very much so. Over the past few years, we have seen a noticeable rise in heart-related emergencies among working professionals, including people in their late 20s and 30s.
Many of them appear fit, have no known medical conditions, and are leading what looks like a “normal” life. Yet, they are landing in emergency rooms with chest pain, rhythm disturbances, or even sudden cardiac events. A common thread in many of these cases is prolonged workplace stress combined with unhealthy daily routines.
What happens in the body when someone is under constant deadlines, targets, and job insecurity?
When stress becomes chronic, the body remains in a constant “fight or flight” mode. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol stay elevated, which increases heart rate and blood pressure and promotes inflammation in blood vessels.
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Over time, this creates strain on the heart, disturbs sleep, affects sugar and fat metabolism, and can even cause spasms in the coronary arteries. These changes are leisurely and silent but can significantly weaken the heart.
Can long work hours and mental pressure trigger heart attacks even in people with “normal” reports?
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Yes, they can. Many young professionals have routine health reports that appear normal, but those tests do not always capture the impact of sustained stress, sleep deprivation, or lifestyle habits.
Under intense mental pressure, the heart can become electrically unstable, or the blood vessels can suddenly constrict, triggering a cardiac event even in the absence of obvious blockages.
What early warning signs does the heart give that professionals usually dismiss as “just stress”?
Symptoms like slight chest tightness, shortness of breath on stairs, unusual fatigue, palpitations, or heaviness in the chest are often dismissed as anxiety or work pressure.
Some experience restless sleep, irritability, or a persistent sense of unease. These are early signs the heart is under strain, and disregarding them is dangerous.
How can someone tell the difference between anxiety symptoms and a real cardiac red flag?
The overlap can be confusing, which is why many cases get missed. However, cardiac symptoms often worsen with physical exertion, may radiate to the arm, jaw, or back, and are accompanied by breathlessness or sweating.
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Anxiety-related symptoms tend to fluctuate and improve with rest or reassurance. If symptoms recur, progress, or worsen with exertion, it is essential not to self-diagnose and to seek a medical evaluation.
Are there symptoms that appear months or years before a major cardiac event?
Yes. Persistent, excessive fatigue, declining exercise ability, frequent palpitations, disturbed sleep, and repeated chest discomfort can develop well before a major event. Because these symptoms worsen gradually, they are often rationalized or ignored until a crisis occurs.
Late nights, caffeine, and skipped meals: Hidden triggers
Corporate stress rarely comes alone. It is often accompanied by habits that further strain the heart:
1. Excess caffeine or energy drinks to push through fatigue
2. Skipping breakfast, eating late dinners or surviving on processed food
3. Sedentary workdays with very limited movement
4. Poor sleep from screen exposure and work pressure
5. Weekend binge drinking as “stress relief”
Each of these factors progressively damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack even in people with no prior history of disease.
What will aid break the cycle?
The excellent stories is that most stress-linked cardiac emergencies are preventable with timely changes. Dr. Mansuri urges working professionals to do the following:
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1. At least 30 minutes of daily physical activity
2. Fixed sleep timings and “digital sunset” after work hours
3. Three balanced meals at consistent times every day
4. Reducing caffeine and avoiding energy drinks
5. Regular cardiac screening for professionals above 30, and those with a family history
The doctor also suggests mind-body practices like deep breathing, yoga, meditation or even short breaks during the workday significantly reduce stress on the heart.
If you could give one message to corporate leaders, what would it be?
Heart health should be treated as a workplace priority, not a personal afterthought. Productivity and performance cannot come at the cost of long-term health.
Encouraging balanced work hours, preventive screenings, and stress-management support is not just great for employees - it saves lives. A healthier workforce is ultimately a stronger and more sustainable one.
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