Why Young People Are Getting Heart Attacks | COVID, Stress, Gym Deaths | Dr Rahul Chandola

Heart attacks in the 30s and 40s used to be unheard of, so why are more and more young people dying of cardiac ailments now? In this episode of AfterHours with All About Eve, host Bani Anand is joined by Dr Rahul Chandola, one of India’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons, for a much-needed conversation around the epidemic of heart disease, particularly among young people. With over two decades of experience and more than 1,000 open-heart surgeries for underprivileged patients, Dr Chandola brings clarity, compassion, and hard facts to a topic often clouded by myths and misinformation. The Link Between COVID And Heart Attacks Dr Chandola explains how individuals who had COVID are at a significantly higher risk of developing atherosclerosis (plaque formation in the arteries of the heart), with effects that can last up to 18 months. He also clears up common misconceptions around whether vaccines increase the risk of heart attacks. What Is Atherogenesis? Why Does It Matter? Understand how and why plaque builds up in arteries, and how this contributes to silent cardiac damage—even in seemingly healthy individuals. Stress, Lifestyle & Corporate Burnout: We examine the link between mental health and cardiac health. Why are high-performing, driven professionals more prone to heart attacks? Dr Chandola clarifies that it’s not ambition itself, but unmanaged stress and sedentary habits that pose the real danger. Sudden Heart Attacks at the Gym: Why are fit individuals collapsing during workouts? Dr Chandola explains how undiagnosed coronary artery blockages can be fatally triggered by intense physical exertion. Preventive Heart Screenings for the Young: Should you have your heart screened before turning 40? If you have a family history, high stress levels, or chronic anxiety, the answer is a resounding YES. Nutrition Then vs Now: Are we eating our way to heart disease? Discover the stark difference between traditional Indian diets and today’s processed, packaged, and fried food culture. Dr Chandola also weighs in on the ongoing debate: vegetarianism vs non-vegetarianism, alcohol vs smoking—what truly harms your heart more? New-Age Medical Technology & Real-Time Heart Monitoring: Dr Chandola introduces us to cutting-edge wearable biosensors—like wireless ECG patches—that stream heart data to the cloud in real time. These innovations are poised to transform early detection, insurance structures, and personalised cardiac care. On Service, Legacy & Giving Back: Dr Chandola speaks movingly about his sense of purpose. Having benefitted from a government-funded medical education, he believes it is his duty to serve society. He recounts a 2017 health camp in Uttarakhand, where a lack of funds meant only 4 out of 13 patients could receive life-saving surgeries—3 others tragically passed away. This heartbreaking incident led him to establish a charitable trust that now connects needy patients with donors and negotiates with hospitals to reduce costs. On Broken Heart Syndrome & Human Emotion: The episode concludes on a powerful note. Dr Chandola sheds light on Broken Heart Syndrome—a real cardiac condition caused by intense emotional trauma, such as the loss of a loved one. He shares moving insights from his first heart transplant, the miracle of seeing a donor heart beat again, and reflects on how even Grey’s Anatomy manages to capture the emotional pulse of hospital life. (00:00) Episode Begins (02:00) Explaining the rise in heart disease (03:27) What is atherogenesis? (05:25) How has nutrition changed over the years? (07:08) Are ambitious people more at risk? (08:35) Does COVID raise heart attack risk? (09:51) Did COVID vaccines lead to more heart issues? (11:40) Why are young people having heart attacks? (13:16) Early warning signs of a heart attack (15:55) Why are people getting heart attacks at the gym? (17:21) Should young people have heart check-ups? (18:31) Traditional diets vs modern nutrition (20:55) Smoking vs drinking – which is worse? (22:14) Is alcohol safe for heart health? (23:45) Vegetarian vs non-vegetarian – what’s better for the heart? (24:54) Latest technology for heart monitoring (33:13) How tech could affect insurance (34:13) Why Dr Chandola chooses to serve society (38:29) When doctors were seen as gods (39:53) The value of giving back (42:01) A heartbreaking story from a health camp (49:21) Connecting patients and donors (50:45) The state of healthcare in India (54:16) Thoughts on heart transplants (55:00) How organ donation works in India (58:02) His first heart transplant experience (58:51) On Grey’s Anatomy (01:00:21) Risks of self-medicating (01:04:45) How Dr Chandola unwinds AfterHours (01:06:25) What is Broken Heart Syndrome? Follow us: Instagram:   / allabouteve_in   Website: https://allabouteve.co.in/ #heartattack #heartdisease #heartpatients #heartproblems #heartattackawareness #brokenheart #covid #covidvaccine #covid19