Medical concern over rising heart attacks and cardiac arrests among children and youth

According to a report by the Aaj Tak news outlet, a 13-year-old child suddenly died at school in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. In this matter, doctors have expressed apprehension that the cause of death at the primary stage is cardiac arrest. Just a few days prior to this incident, a 9-year-old innocent girl also died similarly after suddenly collapsing at a school located in Mayur Vihar, Delhi. In this case too, apprehension was expressed that death occurred due to a heart attack. Although the exact cause of death in both these cases will be known only through the post-mortem report, these two incidents have made everyone think about how serious problems like heart attacks and cardiac arrests are occurring at such a young age.

Dr. Gaurav Kumar from the Pediatric Cardiology Department of Yashoda Medicity Hospital has given detailed information on this entire matter. He says that cases of heart attacks and cardiac arrests are coming to light in children. As of today, children's changing lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and a decrease in sports are considered to be a big reason behind this. However, apart from this, reasons like congenital heart diseases and irregularities in heartbeats can also be responsible for heart attacks in children.

Dr. Gaurav further states that nowadays most children are spending more time behind mobile phones, TVs, and video games instead of playing outside in open grounds. Apart from this, the consumption of junk food and packaged snacks among children has also increased significantly. Due to all these habits, serious problems like obesity, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and diabetes are coming to light in children at a young age. The direct effect of all these physical problems is also falling on the delicate hearts of children.

Even though heart attacks and cardiac arrests are two different medical conditions, both are extremely serious medical emergencies. Cases of heart attacks are seen relatively less inside children, but cardiac arrest can happen at any age. Certain symptoms of this serious condition are definitely seen, which include the sudden stopping of breathing or the condition of not being able to breathe normally.

To keep children's hearts healthy and fit, it is very essential to include sports in their daily lifestyle or routine. There is a need to make children do physical activities for at least 60 minutes every day. These activities can include physical movements like cycling, running, swimming, playing football, playing badminton, and skipping rope. Due to these types of activities, children's bodies always remain active and their hearts also remain completely fit.

Along with these physical activities, it is also extremely vital to pay special attention to children's diet and eating habits. Children should always be fed fresh fruits, green vegetables, pulses, whole grains, and nutritious and balanced food made at home itself. Children should be given outside junk food and food substances containing excessive sugar or sweetness as little as possible so that their health can remain excellent.