Silent lifestyle risks drive rise in sudden cardiac deaths, says heart surgeon

A man collapses mid-workout at the gym. A young player faints on the field without warning. Someone dancing falls dead moments later. Post-COVID, videos of such incidents are everywhere online, spreading a kind of fear that feels personal.

Sudden cardiac deaths, once perceived as rare or distant, now seem alarmingly frequent, cutting across age, fitness levels and lifestyles.

Amid this growing unease, doctors say the real story lies not in these isolated incidents, but in the quiet, cumulative strain we place on our hearts every day.

Dr Rahul Chandola, chairman of the Institute of Heart and Lung Diseases (IHLD) and a cardiovascular surgeon, said that lifestyle is one of the biggest factors and stressed that sedentary routines, erratic sleep, rising stress, and a diet dominated by processed foods are steadily eroding cardiovascular health, often without any visible warning.

In fact, nearly half of all heart attacks strike without prior symptoms, making prevention not just important, but urgent.

"Lifestyle is one of the biggest determinants of heart health," said Chandola, also the founder of iLiveConnect.

"After the age of 40, regular heart health screening becomes important. Statistics show that 50 per cent of heart attack cases occur without any prior warning," he said, recommending that balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, exercise and effective stress management should be part of a daily routine.

Increasingly, it is the absence of symptoms that concerns doctors the most. Many patients appear healthy until a major cardiac event occurs. This has led to a gradual shift in how people approach healthcare, moving from reactive treatment to preventive screening.

"Earlier, people would visit hospitals only after falling ill," Chandola noted. "Now, there is growing awareness, and more individuals are opting for check-ups even before any disease manifests."     Conventional tests such as ECG, echocardiography, and routine blood work provide useful insights but may not always capture the full picture.

Angiography remains one of the most definitive ways to assess the condition of the heart's blood vessels, but is not suitable for everyone.

This gap between basic screening and invasive diagnostics has prompted interest in newer forms of continuous monitoring. Under preventive care, wearable biosensor technologies are emerging as an alternative. Devices such as iLiveConnect, developed under Chandola's guidance, function like a patch placed on the body, tracking vital parameters continuously over several days.

Whether a person is sleeping, working, or exercising, the device captures real-time data, offering a more comprehensive view of heart health over time.

While technology may aid early detection, doctors emphasise that the foundation of heart health still lies in everyday habits. A consistent routine can significantly reduce risk.

Chandola recommended at least seven to seven-and-a-half hours of sleep each night, along with a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Even simple measures like brisk walking are enough to induce sweating and can make a meaningful difference. Equally important is maintaining regular meal timings and reducing the intake of processed and ultra-processed foods.