The fitness trap: Why healthy-looking people are having heart attacks

We hear it almost every day now. Someone who looks young, fit, and active suddenly collapses out of nowhere. News stories like this make everyone pause and wonder how a sudden heart crisis can happen to people who seem completely healthy.For World Heart Day, we sat down for a simple chat with Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, and a renowned heart expert. Instead of using heavy medical terms, he explained in simple words how everyone can protect their heart.Here are the key heart-care tips he shared, from daily habits to expert advice:1. Don't ignore the hidden warning signs in your bodyConditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and rising cholesterol do not send loud warning signals in the beginning - they develop silently. Getting routine blood tests done is essential for everyone, especially if heart issues run in your family.2. Re-think your fitness goalsWorking out hard at the gym and building heavy muscles do not automatically mean your heart is safe. Instead of overexerting yourself with intense lifting, balance your routine with heart-friendly cardio like a 40-minute brisk walk, swimming, or cycling.3. Clean up your daily diet and habitsStay away from fast food, pastries, and fried street food like samosas and pakoras, which are packed with bad fats. Use healthy cooking oils like mustard, olive, or sunflower oil instead. Also, avoid smoking and passive smoking (secondhand smoking), which can raise your heart attack risk by 30%.4. Manage daily stress and city pollutionCity pollution and everyday mental stress take a heavy toll on your arteries. Try adding yoga or meditation to your daily routine to help keep your mind calm and balanced.5. Never stop your prescribed medicines on your ownIf a doctor puts you on cholesterol-lowering medication, make sure to keep taking it. Stopping it on your own will only cause your bad cholesterol levels to jump right back up.6. Know what to do in the first 30 minutes of an emergencyDo not brush off chest discomfort or sweating as mere gas. Avoid taking random emergency pills like sorbitrate, which can drop your blood pressure dangerously, and always get to a hospital right away.Taking care of your heart does not have to be complicated. It all starts with small, daily habits and paying attention to your body.Want to know the essential blood cholesterol and preventive screenings every man and woman should get, why even the fittest gym-goers get trapped, and the hidden everyday habits that put silent pressure on your heart?Find out the answers to all this and more - watch the full podcast to catch the entire conversation!Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgments of the doctors/experts, and TIL does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited by Times Internet’s Spotlight team.