19-year-old dies of cardiac arrest in Lucknow: Is age no longer a factor?

Produced by: BT Desk Designed by: Manoj Kumar

1. Raising questions

A 19-year-old student, Anika Rastogi, died of cardiac arrest in her hostel room in Lucknow, raising urgent questions about heart health in young Indians.

2. Understanding early risks

[{"selector":"#anim-44dc74a9-64fa-48c9-8b2f-3b642cb181ba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.24127899956613%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Heart attacks are striking young Indians earlier, with genetic predispositions making early testing crucial.

3. Why test at 18?

[{"selector":"#anim-7646a192-7446-4604-a473-d5f054e19ffa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Early lipid testing at 18 helps detect abnormal cholesterol levels, essential for preventing heart issues later.

4. Key tests to take

[{"selector":"#anim-86079f79-39ce-4885-8473-2ef3957cd0d9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-48.675205866418985%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A lipid profile at 18 includes cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides—critical indicators of heart health.

5. Genetic factors in play

[{"selector":"#anim-d0b26dff-7a38-4b23-8712-e76fed5dad40 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Family history of heart disease or high cholesterol increases the need for early and thorough testing.

6. Reading your results

[{"selector":"#anim-8048e842-a82f-42a5-8b0d-18e67dad9ddb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.257324105020174%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] At 18, LDL should be below 100 mg/dL; non-HDL cholesterol should stay under 130 mg/dL.

7. Responding to high cholesterol

[{"selector":"#anim-191a2e62-6ada-49b3-b01a-09fb8deeb84f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-47.01668667134286%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are the first steps if high cholesterol is detected.

8. The role of statins

[{"selector":"#anim-6327f8c0-110a-4e71-b7f8-4b3ba3523611 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.1927082374153%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Statins, safe for young adults, can effectively lower stubborn cholesterol levels and prevent heart attacks.

9. Ongoing vigilance

[{"selector":"#anim-22a16f38-fd73-460d-a8b6-3f77fa7a6377 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.256591701344604%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Regular monitoring and proactive measures are essential to manage heart health from an early age.

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