The alarming rise of heart attack cases in India has been a cause of concern for doctors and researchers across the subcontinent. The scenario is perverse especially amongst men. According to the Indian Heart Association, "50% of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 50 years of age and 25% of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 40 years of age."

                           Statistics suggests that the rate of heart diseases in India is double that of the national averages of western countries, a heart attack is majorly caused due to a coronary heart disease, where the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can't get oxygen. The reason behind is the accumulation of waxy layer inside the coronary arteries. The build-up occurs over many years. Another reason for a stroke could be Coronary Artery Spasm, which is caused by a severe spasm (tightening) of a coronary artery. The spasm cuts off blood flow through the artery.In layman terms, a stroke or an attack happens when the blood stops flowing into the muscles, which could be owing to a long persisting heart ailment or unhealthy lifestyle, diet and stress issues.

Here are the few common causes to heart attack –

1. Genetic Issues : If strokes and heart diseases run in our family, it is advisable for us to maintain our diet and lifestyle. Men over the age of 50 with a family history of cardiovascular disease are more prone to an attack. In case of premenopausal women, high levels of estrogen are touted to be acting as the protective force, but the risk increases after menopause.
2. Smoking :Yes, not only pulmonary ailments, but smoking can bring upon a fair share of heart ailments too. It can cause narrowing of blood vessels due to bad cholesterol or LDL deposits on the endothelium layers along the walls of the blood vessels, thereby blocking the smooth inflow of blood.

3. Fatty Diet:A diet high in saturated fat can add to the build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries and significantly increase the risk of heart attack. Saturated,trans-fats as ghee,utter increases bad cholesterol..
4. Alcohol:In a recent study done by Journal of the American Heart Association, it was revealed that even minute amounts of alcohol, as little as half a pint of beer a day, can call for heart diseases in the long run. Drinking can cause premature ageing of the arteries.

5. High Cholesterol:Majority of the heart attacks occur due to cholesterol-filled blockages in the arteries that serve the heart. Blood fats or lipids consists of two kinds of cholesterol- Low Density Lipoprotein(LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein(HDL). LDL cholesterol, commonly known as the bad cholesterol, results in plaque formation on the arteries, while HDL works against forming of this plaque and help flush out the excess cholesterol from the body.Saturated and trans-fats in the diet tend to increase LDL cholesterol in the blood. Animal products like meat fat, beef, lamb, chicken, full cream dairy foods like butter and processed foods like pastries and biscuits are commonly laden with saturated fats. Ideally, cholesterol should be less than 200, LDL should be less than 40 and triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl.
6. Diabetes:A diabetic patient have high blood sugar leading to more atherosclersis.

7.Blood Pressure (Hypertension):In high blood pressure, the pressure within the arteries is higher than normal, which impedes the natural elasticity of arteries. It also results in a larger outflow of blood pumped out of the heart, which disturbs the natural balance and leads to coronary diseases or stroke.
8. Obesity and Physical Inactivity: high fat more atherosclerosis,and if no activity more obesity.
9. Stress:Any sort of anxiety or stress may increase cardiac out put or cardiac stress ..