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Silent Killers: Heart Attacks Strike the Fit
11 Oct
Summary
- Genetics account for nearly 40% of heart attack risk.
- Lp(a) cholesterol is a hidden risk unaffected by diet/exercise.
- Indian risk models often fail to predict heart attacks accurately.
Even those with rigorous fitness routines can experience heart attacks, highlighting that physical fitness does not guarantee immunity from cardiovascular disease. The underlying causes often involve factors beyond diet and exercise, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and arterial health.
Genetic predispositions significantly influence heart health, accounting for approximately 40% of a person's risk. A critical, yet often undetected, genetic factor is Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a variant of LDL cholesterol. Unlike conventional cholesterol markers, Lp(a) levels are largely unaffected by lifestyle choices and can silently promote plaque formation in arteries.
Undiagnosed conditions like hypertension, early diabetes, chronic stress, poor sleep, and even seemingly healthy diets containing hidden sugars and fats can also contribute to arterial damage over time. These silent contributors can lead to plaque rupture and heart attacks without prior symptoms.
For individuals of Indian descent, risk assessment is complicated by the inadequacy of Western-centric risk calculators, which often fail to identify high-risk patients. Indians typically develop coronary artery disease a decade earlier than Western populations, with unique risk factor profiles including higher diabetes rates and a genetic tendency for elevated Lp(a).
