Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jul 27: Heart attacks may no longer be the top cause of death in the US, but a more silent and persistent threat is now claiming more lives — chronic heart diseases, warns cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov.

In a video posted on July 8, Dr Yaranov highlighted that deaths due to heart attacks have declined by nearly 90% since the 1970s, thanks to medical advancements and early interventions. However, he cautioned that heart disease hasn’t been defeated — it has only changed form.

“We didn’t beat heart disease. It just changed its shape,” he said, describing it as a “silent trend” that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Chronic conditions such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias are on the rise. These diseases progress slowly, affecting quality of life and often remain undiagnosed for years. “The new crisis isn’t sudden. It’s slow, progressive, and often missed,” he explained.

In a follow-up post on July 19, Dr Yaranov listed five early symptoms people often ignore:

• Jaw pain
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath during routine activity
• Leg swelling
• Erectile dysfunction

He urged the public to seek timely medical advice if these signs appear and not to wait for a major cardiac event.

Though the data pertains to the US, India too is witnessing a rise in chronic cardiovascular ailments, particularly among the younger population. Experts attribute this to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, high stress, and inadequate screening.

With increasing cases of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension in India — all known risk factors — the emphasis, say cardiologists, must shift from emergency care to prevention, early detection, and better heart health awareness.