{
  "id": 20089855,
  "title": "Cardiologist flags five major heart attack risk factors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/cardiologist-flags-five-major-heart-attack-risk-factors-20089855",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-15T00:30:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/cardiologist-five-major-heart-attack-risk-factors-10942187/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cardiologist Dr Divakar Bhat recently outlined five major heart attack risk factors in a 60-second Instagram video. These factors include smoking, high blood sugar or diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic stress. Dr Parin Sangoi, a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, explained how these risk factors damage blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack.\n\nA heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart muscle becomes blocked, often due to a blood clot forming over fatty plaque in a coronary artery. Early detection and management of these risk factors are crucial for prevention. Smoking damages the inner lining of blood vessels and reduces oxygen supply, increasing the likelihood of arterial blockage. High blood sugar or diabetes accelerates blood vessel damage and raises the risk of coronary artery disease. Persistent high blood pressure strains arteries, potentially damaging blood vessel walls. High cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup in coronary arteries, which can narrow the arteries or cause plaque rupture, triggering a heart attack. Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors and indirectly increase cardiovascular risk.\n\nDr Sangoi emphasized that each risk factor can significantly increase an individual's risk, and having multiple risk factors simultaneously greatly raises the danger. Regular screening based on age, family history, and existing health conditions is recommended. Blood pressure should be checked annually, lipid profiles measured periodically, and blood glucose tests performed from age 35 for adults without symptoms. People with diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol require regular monitoring. An ECG or stress test is not routinely needed for healthy adults without symptoms.\n\nTo lower heart attack risk, Dr Sangoi advised getting seven to nine hours of sleep, managing stress, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking prescribed medications consistently. Even if blood pressure or cholesterol levels improve, patients should not discontinue medication without medical advice.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}