Actor and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen has made fans skip a heartbeat with her latest revelation! The 47-year-old has shared that she suffered a heart attack just a couple of days ago, but after an angioplasty and stents, “all is well”. Sushmita’s case once again highlights the rising number of heart attack cases in India and the need to manage our heart health better regularly.

In her inimitable and heartwarming way, Sushmita shared some “wise words” by her father as she announced her health update on Instagram. “Keep your heart happy and courageous, and it’ll stand by you when you need it the most.”

Sushmita revealed, “I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back… Angioplasty done… stent in place… and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed ‘I do have a big heart’.”

The actor acknowledged that timely aid and constructive action from people around her turned out to be a life saviour. Further, she gave fans a reason to calm down as she shared that “all is well and I am ready for some life again!”

It goes without saying she will to make certain lifestyle changes after suffering a heart attack.

The Aarya actor has been an advocate for living a consistently healthy and fit lifestyle. She also shares nuggets of her fitness diaries and motivational thoughts with fans and friends via social media.

Check out the post by Sushmita Sen here!

Rising heart attack cases in India

In the recent past, heart attack cases, especially among people aged over 40, have drawn much-needed attention. In general, the National Crime Records Bureau notes that sudden deaths due to heart attack has remained over 28,000 every year in India in 2020 and 2021.

Over the past two years, celebrity deaths due to heart attack have been startling to say the least. From comedian Raju Srivastava and singer KK to actor Sidharth Shukla and Siddhaanth Surryavanshi to name a few, the news of these sudden heart attack cases made people sit up and take notice of the importance of heart health.

Experts have said how new-age lifestyle habits, which are replete with stress, unhealthy eating and lack of exercise, are among the root cause of heart attack.

Nevertheless, just as Sushmita Sen stressed on the benefit of getting the right help at the right time, awareness about heart attack, symptoms of heart attack and how to handle a heart attack, are important things to know.

What is a heart attack?

In the simplest terms, a heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when enough blood doesn’t reach the heart muscle. Blood brings oxygen to the heart muscle, and the longer this disruption in flow exists, the greated the damage to heart muscle, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Signs of a heart attack

Some of the most common signs of a heart attack can include pain and discomfort in and around the chest or arms and shoulders, shortness of breath, uneasiness in the jaw, neck, back or upper abdomen, as well as a general feeling of weakness or fatigue. Nausea and vomiting are also heart attack symptoms people may feel.

People with comorbodities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, drinking and smoking, stress as well as existing heart conditions may be at a greater risk of heart attack.

So, you must follow tips for a heart healthy lifestyle every day of your life to avoid heart attack.

Tips to prevent heart attack

Experts across the world have stressed upon the need to lead a healthy lifestyle consistently rather than keeping short-term weight loss goals with fad diets and excessive exercise. Here are some things you can do to avoid heart attack.

1. Avoid smoking
2. Reduce consumption of alcohol
3. Eat healthy foods which are high on protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre, and low on refined carbohydrates, sugar and saturated fats.
4. Exercise everyday, even if it means just 30 minutes
5. Ensure quality and quantity of sleep
6. Keep stress at a distance
7. Keep a tab on your health levels such as cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and your weight.
8. Go for regular checkups as an early detection of a problem can go a long way in saving your life!