Although sudden cardiac death among young people is rare, according to experts, it is a worrying phenomenon that is on the rise. Doctors say that sudden cardiac death occurs as a result of a cardiac problem that occurs within an hour of the onset of symptoms. In many cases, the underlying cardiac problems are unknown, making sudden cardiac death even more painful for loved ones.

In most cases, sudden cardiac death in young people under the age of 35 is caused by a genetic or congenital condition that doctors may or may not have diagnosed before death. “There are more and more cases of people, including those who appear relatively fit and follow a healthy lifestyle, experiencing cardiovascular events. “It is becoming clear that the roots of heart disease are more complex than we thought,” Dr. Ramesh Menon, Associate Director, Personal Genomics and Genomic Medicine at MedGenome, told Times Now.

According to the World Heart Report 2023, the impact of cardiovascular diseases is staggering globally, affecting more than half a billion people and causing 20.5 million deaths. India, in particular, is facing a growing epidemic of CVD risk factors such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

“Factors such as lifestyle changes, medical conditions and genetic predisposition play an important role in this complex puzzle,” said Dr. Menon.

How complex is the heart disease puzzle?

Cardiovascular diseases remain a global health concern due to the multifaceted nature of the disease, including lifestyle choices, genetic predispositions, and emerging COVID-19 complications such as myocarditis and pericarditis. This broadens the scope of cardiovascular diseases to include the following conditions:

• coronary artery disease
• heart failure
• arrhythmia
• valvular disorders

According to the latest World Heart Report, 2024, the impacts of air pollutants on CVD include black carbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5), etc.

India accounts for a large share of cardiovascular deaths worldwide, with age-standardized mortality rates far higher than the global average. “This worrying pattern demands attention to factors other than eating healthy and exercising regularly. Dr. Menon said, we need new, innovative approaches to tackle this crisis head-on.

Could polygenic risk scores revolutionize prevention?

A promising development in the field of preventive care is the use of polygenic risk scores (PRS). Imagine being able to look at over a million genetic markers to understand someone’s risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). That’s exactly what PRS does.

“It’s like a detailed roadmap of your heart health, showing where the potential pitfalls are. This allows earlier detection and enables health professionals to design more personalized prevention strategies. Some people need a more targeted approach, and that’s where these genetic insights come in,” said Dr. Menon.

What role does genetic screening play?,

Experts believe that a significant portion of the risk for heart disease stems from genetic factors, particularly young-onset or premature coronary artery disease. Genome-wide association studies have indicated several common genetic variants associated with PCAD, with genetic screening playing an important role in identifying high-risk individuals by analyzing specific genetic markers associated with cardiovascular disease.

“This is particularly valuable for individuals under the age of 45, as it enables early detection and reduces the risk of developing the disease even before clinical symptoms appear,” said Dr. Menon. make capable.”

According to Dr. Menon, by integrating genetic insights with traditional risk factors like diet and exercise, health care professionals can create tailored management plans. “This personalized approach ensures that interventions are more precise and effective in reducing cardiovascular risks, moving us toward the future of personalized heart health care.”

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from health and around the world.