New Delhi: The medical fraternity in Gujarat has been on high alert following the unprecedented cases of heart attacks being reported across the state at garba events. At least 10 deaths due to heart attacks have been reported, the youngest being just 17 years old. The teen, identified as Veer Shah, suddenly took ill while playing garba at an event in Kapadvanj town of Kheda district. Reports said his nose started bleeding and he was immediately rushed to a hospital.
He was, however, declared dead due to a heart attack. His family later issued an appeal to the public: “Don’t play garba for long stretches of time without taking a break. I lost my son today. I hope the same does not happen to anybody else.”
Similar cases, including deaths of people in their 20s, have been reported from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Navsari.
The reason could be….
Pre-existing medical conditions, long hours of fasting, unhealthy eating and ignorance about prevailing heart issues.
Sudden heart attacks during physical activities like garba can have various causes, including pre-existing medical conditions, physical exertion, and even environmental factors, experts said. “Engaging in sports and dance activities, particularly during high-intensity events like garba, can potentially exacerbate underlying health conditions, increasing the risk of heart-related problems, including heart attacks and failure,” Dr Zeeshan Mansuri, a consultant interventional cardiologist at Narayana Hospital, Ahmedabad, told News18, adding that many participants, including youngsters, may unknowingly carry risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, making them susceptible to cardiac issues during these physically demanding festivities.
“It’s important for individuals to be aware of their health, stay hydrated, and not push their physical limits during such celebrations,” Dr Debdatta Majumdar, cardiology consultant at NH RN Tagore Hospital in Kolkata, advised.
Dr Udgeath Dhir, director and head of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, explained to News18 that in some cases, young people can experience sudden cardiac arrest due to factors like family-related heart conditions or irregular heart rhythms, especially when they are under extreme emotional or physical stress. “It can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms and death.”
This problem can get worse when there is an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes, which can occur during activities like dancing or exercising. “During normal working or daily activities, these don’t pose any problems or symptoms and hence go unnoticed.”
Dr Bimal Chhajer, senior cardiologist and director, SAAOL Heart Centre, New Delhi said he has observed a “significant rise in the number of patients seeking medical attention for heart-related issues during festival season”. Their top complaints are shortness of breath or chest pain.
“Dehydration, poor eating practices, and excessive physical activity are a few contributing factors. During these festivities, the heat and excessive activity might cause cardiac strain.”
He suggested that to lower the risk of heart-related problems, attendees, especially youngsters, must stay hydrated, pace themselves, and refrain from consuming an excessive amount of high-sugar or high-fat foods during these celebrations.
What to do?
According to Dhir from Fortis, human bodies give frequent warning signs, but we tend to ignore them, make excuses, or succumb to peer pressure and end up avoiding regular check-ups. “Ignoring signals from our bodies such as discomfort, excessive fatigue, coughing, nausea, and skipping check-ups, can contribute to cardiac arrests.”
Experts suggest that it is essential to raise awareness about potential risks associated with over-exertion and stress during such celebrations. Recognising early signs of heart problems, such as chest pain or breathlessness, is crucial as well. They recommend arranging health check-ups before the festival season so people at greater risk can be identified and offered personalised guidance on how to enjoy the celebrations safely.
“In the realm of heart health, quick access to medical assistance can be a pivotal game-changer when it comes to saving lives,” Mansuri was quoted as saying, adding that, “The presence of medical professionals and defibrillators at events like garba is also important as they can be life-saving in emergencies.”
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