At the age of 42, "Kanta Laga girl," the actress and model Shefali Jariwala, passed away on June 27. It has been hypothesized in numerous accounts that Shefali's death may be related to cardiac arrest, low blood pressure, and stomach problems, possibly brought on by an anti-aging injection she received on an empty stomach.

The alarming rate of mortality associated with cardiovascular illness

The entertainment industry has been stunned by the increasing number of young people falling victim to heart disease. Due to heart-related illnesses, prominent figures in the industry like Puneeth Rajkumar, Sidharth Shukla, KK, and Raju Srivastava have passed away at a young age. This alarming rise in the number of cases highlights the significance of understanding cardiovascular disorders and learning about the preventative measures you may take, as well as the tests you should have done, so that you can take action early on.

People are missing tests in their yearly health check-up, and the ECG cannot detect everything, according to Dr. Rajeev Vashisth, a senior consultant, cardiothoracic and cardiac surgeon (vascular surgery) at HCG Hospitals in Bhavnagar.

According to Dr. Vashisth, cardiovascular illnesses (CVDs) are thought by the World Health Organization (WHO) to cause around 17.9 million fatalities worldwide each year. "Heart problems are responsible for over 28 percent of all deaths in India alone," he emphasized.

What is an ECG?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a crucial step in identifying heart-related issues early, before symptoms worsen, the cardiologist emphasized.

"An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a brief, non-invasive medical procedure that captures your heart's electrical activity," he explained. It captures or quantifies the electrical activity of the heart. It visually depicts these impulses, allowing you to spot any abnormalities in your heartbeat, such as previous heart attacks or physical issues.

Should we just use ECGs? No is the answer.

In India, there are an increasing number of young people suffering from heart problems, and a prevalent myth is one of the main causes of this, according to Dr. Vashisth.

“Many believe that an ECG is sufficient to rule out any potential heart issues. They are comforted by the 'normal' ECG and frequently disregard additional testing. A regular ECG, though, does not always indicate that the heart is in perfect health. He advises that young individuals, particularly those with risk factors such as stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history, get a thorough cardiac examination.

"An ECG can measure or record the electrical activity of the heart," according to Dr. Vashisth. They are useful in identifying certain cardiac issues and abnormalities that may be linked to blockages of the coronary arteries, such as irregular heartbeats or heart attack (angina/infarction), even if they cannot see blood vessels.

"Therefore, supplementary imaging modalities are necessary to confirm the presence and location of obstructions," he said, adding, "Similarly, silent hypertension, high cholesterol, or early diabetes—all of which are major risk factors for heart disease—go unreported unless specifically checked for."

The tests that should all be included in a comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular risk were proposed by him.

A lipid profile

HbA1c or fasting blood glucose

Keeping an eye on blood pressure

waist circumference/BMI measurement

An echocardiogram or stress test should be performed every once in a while, especially for those with a family history or symptoms such as chest discomfort or dyspnea.

Read Also: Cardiologist’s Top 2 Heart Checks for Runners: What Makes the Thallium Test Vital

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