A series of cases of heart attacks suffered while on the treadmill has many concerned that working out at the gym might be the cause of heart disease. The latest being stand-up comic Raju Srivastava, who was rushed to New Delhi’s AIIMS last week after suffering a cardiac arrest at the gym. However, doctors say an intense workout only aggravates pre-existing conditions. Sweating and an increased heart rate can cause a cardiac arrest, but other factors create the conditions for it.

The actual cause of heart attacks lies in nutrition, family history, genetics and lifestyle factors. ”If one has risk factors for heart disease—obesity, smoking, diabetes or family history—then it is best to get a doctor's consultation before embarking on any intensive exercise regime,” says noted cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty.

Doctors also advise that patients suffering from heart disease don’t consider gyms as the only solution. ”Often people feel they should improve their lifestyle by working out more. But they may have some blockage or risk factors. The exercise regime you pick doesn’t have to be high intensity—low to moderate is recommended depending on your condition,” says Dr Atul Limaye, senior interventional cardiologist at Fortis hospital in Mulund, Mumbai. Moreover, recommendations for exercise differ from individual to individual and self-prescribing exercise for oneself could be dangerous for anyone with cardiac risk factors.

The most difficult heart attack cases to understand remain the ones that happen to patients with no glaring risk factors at all. Srivastava, for example, apparently had no history of heart ailments. There are many who have experienced the same—a sudden and unexpected revelation of heart problems. ”I have never smoked, have no family history, and have never eaten unhealthily. And yet, two months into going to the gym, I found myself feeling breathless and had to go to a doctor for emergency investigation, which revealed partial blockages in my heart,” says Abhishek Choudhary, a 42-year-old engineer from Delhi.

In Choudhary’s case, the doctor put the cause down to stress. Indeed, the American Heart Association, in a September 2021 study, found that those with high stress were likely to develop high blood pressure and, if left unmanaged, cardiac problems in the next six to seven years. Several experts say that chronic stress leads people to worry more, sleep badly, exercise less and eat more unhealthy ‘feel good’ food. The only way such conditions can be picked up in time is through preventive health check-ups.

“Routine blood work is important for everyone regardless of what their health condition is. It helps you diagnose a problem in the early stages as certain blood parameters can pinpoint issues. It isn’t enough to just get a blood test done but one must also take it to the right specialist for analysis,“ says Dr Limaye. Most doctors recommend getting basic blood parameters, including lipid profile, homocysteine levels and apolipoproteins, checked annually for any signs of trouble. Alongside regular check-ups, to look after your heart health, it is important to stay active, eat a balanced diet and manage stress. It is essential to take out time and energy for yourself and your heart’s wellbeing.

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