Why are silent heart attacks claiming the lives of young, outwardly fit people? Doctors explain

The tragic and sudden deaths of young, seemingly healthy individuals have sparked widespread anxiety among the expatriate community in the UAE. The most recent heartbreak involved Dr Afina Basheer, a 32-year-old Indian dentist living in Sharjah, who collapsed and died at her residence. According to her family, she had no history of health issues and had recently taken a temporary career break to raise her two young children. Her sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the diaspora.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, a 42-year-old expat collapsed and died while playing badminton in Dubai, and a popular 38-year-old sportsman suffered a fatal collapse during a cricket match. Last year, two teenagers lost their lives in similar, abrupt circumstances. The fact that these tragedies are claiming active individuals who closely follow healthy daily routines has brought the terrifying reality of sudden cardiac arrests to the forefront.

Medical experts across the UAE report a worrying surge in young patients arriving at emergency departments with acute cardiac emergencies. Heart conditions that once primarily affected individuals over 60 are now increasingly common in those in their 20s and 30s. This raises a critical question: why are silent heart attacks claiming the lives of young, outwardly fit people?

What is a silent heart attack?
While a typical heart attack presents with classic, unmistakable symptoms—such as crushing chest pain, severe breathlessness, profuse sweating, and pain radiating down the left arm or neck—a silent heart attack behaves very differently. 'The real danger lies in the absence of these warning signs,' explains Dr Jamuna Devi, Consultant Cardiologist at LLH Hospital in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. 'Victims often experience no dramatic symptoms, making it a stealthy and dangerous threat.'

The danger of ignoring minor symptoms
In many cases, a silent heart attack manifests only as mild fatigue, indigestion, back pain, or minor muscle aches. Most people dismiss these warning signs as simple acidity or exhaustion from a hard day's work. This tendency to shrug off minor discomfort is a major factor driving up the fatality rate of silent heart attacks.

Dr Jamuna Devi also highlights that the risk is exceptionally high for the elderly and those with diabetic neuropathy. 'Patients who have lived with diabetes for a long time often suffer from nerve damage, which blunts their ability to feel pain. Consequently, they may undergo a massive heart attack without realising it. By the time they seek medical help, the heart muscle has sustained irreversible damage, often leading to sudden cardiac arrest.'

Unmasking the triggers: Stress and lifestyle choices
The demanding lifestyle of the expat community, combined with the psychological toll of living away from home, plays a massive role in triggering cardiac events. Dr Sanjay Rajdev, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Medeor Hospital in Dubai, outlines how workplace stress, mounting financial pressures, tight targets, and loneliness trigger the overproduction of stress hormones, which disrupts normal cardiac function over time.

This stress is frequently compounded by sedentary habits, poor dietary choices, chronic sleep deprivation, smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and dehydration. 'The excessive intake of fast food, deep-fried dishes, and fatty meats elevates bad cholesterol levels,' notes Dr Rajdev. 'Many young expats in their 30s and 40s neglect annual medical examinations for years. Unmanaged high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes quietly clog the coronary arteries, eventually culminating in a sudden, catastrophic cardiac arrest.'

He adds that many patients make the mistake of self-medicating with antacids, assuming their chest discomfort is just acid reflux. 'By the time they finally reach an emergency room, they may have already lost more than half of their heart's pumping capacity.'

An equal threat to women
Cardiac issues do not spare women, although their symptoms are often even more atypical than those in men. Instead of chest pressure, women frequently complain of persistent fatigue, back pain, or mild breathlessness. In many cases, a heart attack is only diagnosed after a cautious doctor recommends an electrocardiogram (ECG) to rule out cardiac involvement.

How to protect yourself against the silent killer
Preventing these sudden tragedies requires a proactive approach and positive lifestyle adjustments. Medical experts recommend the following crucial steps:
• Schedule regular screenings: Anyone over the age of 30 should undergo a comprehensive annual health check-up to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
• Listen to your body: Never ignore persistent fatigue, indigestion, or unusual back pain. Avoid self-medicating and consult a doctor immediately.
• Undergo cardiac evaluations: Periodic cardiac screenings, including an ECG, echocardiogram, and treadmill test, can assess heart function and identify silent risks early. Check if your health insurance covers these preventive checks.
• Stay active and manage stress: Dedicate 30 to 45 minutes daily to moderate exercise like brisk walking. Incorporate stress-relief practices like yoga and meditation, and ensure you get adequate sleep.
• Adopt a clean diet: Completely avoid tobacco and limit alcohol. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while drastically cutting down on salt, sugar, and saturated fats.