CHENNAI: A 20-year-old was recently admitted to Sri Ramachandra Hospital in Porur when he complained of chest pain.

The youngster had developed the pain at 8 a.m. but took antacids for what he suspected was a heartburn. He wrote his test and came to the hospital at 3 p.m., as the pain had not subsided. An electrocardiogram test showed he had suffered an acute heart attack (anterior myocardial infarction).

He developed rapid, abnormal beats at the intensive care unit and had to be defibrillated (shock treatment). He was then put on artificial respiration. A coronary angiography revealed that he had a 100 per cent block in the left anterior descending artery. A stent was inserted. The youngster was discharged after further tests and examinations but follow up was done periodically. Now the young man is doing fine, intervention cardiologist at the SRMC G. Sengottuvelu told reporters on Tuesday.

"The boy's grandfather died of heart attack at 48. Neither the boy nor his father is diabetic nor smokes." The hospital has seen three patients in their twenties in the past six months, he said.

According to him, 10 per cent of all heart attacks in India occurred in people below 40 years of age and 15 per cent if people below 45 were included. Most heart attack cases were related to family history. In the case of the youngster, the block had precipitated as heart attack due to stress, the surgeon said. Medication played no role among youngsters.

What was necessary was lifestyle change, he said. High risk youngsters should have medical evaluation after the age of 20.

These measures will prevent progression but may not be able to reverse the trend, he said.

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