On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, cardiologists in Kolkata highlighted that tobacco use remains a primary trigger for cardiac diseases, which are increasingly affecting individuals under the age of 40. According to medical experts, one in every four heart attacks in the city is now suffered by people younger than 40.
World No Tobacco Day 2024: Theme and Focus
This year's theme for World No Tobacco Day focuses on countering nicotine and tobacco addiction, a move that cardiologists believe could help curb the rising incidence of cardiac diseases among young people. Experts stressed the urgent need to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco among adolescents and young adults.
At an event organized by Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre and The Times of India on Saturday, the growing health risks associated with tobacco use among school students were brought to light. Dr. Dilip Kumar, an interventional cardiologist at Manipal Hospital, revealed that 8.5% of school students in India consume tobacco in some form. He explained, "The brain's impulse-control centers continue developing until the age of 25, making adolescents particularly vulnerable to addiction. Nicotine consumption has become more attractive and accessible to youth with the rise of vapes and e-cigarettes."
Misconceptions About Smokeless Tobacco
Dr. Harsh Dhar, consultant in head and neck and skull base oncosurgery at Manipal Hospital, warned against the misconception that areca nut and smokeless tobacco are safer alternatives. He stated that both are classified as Class A carcinogens, posing significant health risks. At HCG Cancer Hospital in Kolkata, doctors conducted oral screening sessions and emphasized the risks of tobacco use, including both chewing tobacco and tobacco smoke, in relation to head and neck cancers.
Rising Lung Cancer Burden
While tobacco use remains a leading cause, there is growing evidence that environmental and genetic factors are also significantly contributing to the rising burden of lung cancer, according to pulmonologist Dr. Vaibhav Kajaria, who spoke at an event held at Fortis Hospital on the occasion.
Alarming Increase in Heart Attacks Among Young
Dr. Aniruddha Mandal, a cardiologist at BM Birla Heart Hospital, noted that a decade ago, only one in ten heart attack patients were under 40 years old. "Cardiac diseases have been rising alarmingly among young people, with 25% of all heart attacks occurring in patients less than 40, up from 10% a decade ago," said Mandal. The average age of first heart attack has also dropped from 52 to 39, driven by tremendous stress in academic and professional lives, lipid-rich food, and smoking.
Dr. Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, a cardiologist at BP Poddar Hospital, added that it was relatively uncommon to see young individuals requiring major cardiac intervention unless there was a strong family history or congenital problem until a decade ago. "Now, we frequently treat patients in their 30s and even late 20s with serious cardiac complications. Long working hours, constant professional pressure, financial anxiety, lack of work-life balance, digital overexposure, sleep deprivation, and continuous psychological stress are silently affecting cardiovascular health in younger individuals," explained Aich Bhaumik.
Smoking as a Major Trigger
Dr. Tapobrata De, an interventional cardiologist at Charnock Hospital, stated that smoking is responsible for a majority of cardiac ailments in younger patients. "We are increasingly seeing people without any family history or hypertension getting heart attacks in their 30s. Invariably, most of them are smokers. Smoking increases triglyceride levels in the blood and triggers cardiac ailments," said De. He added that chronic stress leads to persistent elevation of stress hormones, higher blood pressure, disturbed sleep patterns, and unhealthy eating, all of which significantly accelerate heart disease.
Cardiac Disease No Longer an Old-Age Problem
Dr. Atanu Saha, a cardiac surgeon at RN Tagore Hospital, emphasized that cardiac disease is no longer an old-age disease. "We are increasingly seeing heart attacks, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and even sudden cardiac deaths in people under 40. In young people, when a heart attack occurs due to a blockage, it becomes more acute as the heart muscles don't have the chance or time to develop natural 'collateral circulation,' which can protect the heart from significant damage," explained Saha.
The collective message from cardiologists is clear: tobacco use, combined with modern lifestyle stressors, is driving a sharp rise in cardiac diseases among young adults in Kolkata. Awareness and preventive measures are crucial to reverse this trend.
