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Dr. Shafeeq Mattummal <\/p>\nKozhikode: It costs less than a toffee, yet it can save your life. Aspirin, one of the world\u2019s most studied and widely used drugs, but shockingly, many patients still resist taking it, often with fatal consequences.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAspirin has cumulatively saved more lives than all firefighters put together,\u201d says Dr. Shafeeq Mattummal, Chair & Senior Consultant \u2013 Cardiology, Centre for Heart & Vascular Care, Meitra Hospital. \u201cIt\u2019s cheap, available free in government centres, and yet people hesitate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Shafeeq Mattummal <\/p>\n
The tiny tablet that stops a heart attack<\/strong><\/p>\n Heart attacks don\u2019t happen overnight. They are usually the result of a silent buildup, fatty deposits in arteries that narrow the blood flow. The real danger comes when a blood clot suddenly blocks the narrowed vessel. That\u2019s where aspirin steps in.<\/p>\n \u201cIn low doses, aspirin prevents clot formation, which is the final trigger of most heart attacks and strokes,\u201d explains Dr. Shafeeq. \u201cThat tiny tablet can help in stopping a fatal event.\u201d<\/p>\n Why fear keeps people away<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite its proven benefits, patients often fear that long-term medicines will \u201cdamage kidneys\u201d or \u201cweaken the body.\u201d Dr. Shafeeq calls this WhatsApp University medicine, myths spread without evidence.<\/p>\n \u201cNo doctor would give you something that kills your kidneys. Stick to your physician\u2019s advice. Modern medicine is why life expectancy in Kerala is among the highest in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Younger hearts, greater risks<\/strong><\/p>\n Two decades ago, the average patient on a cardiologist\u2019s operation list was around 60. Now, Dr. Shafeeq sees people in their 30s and 40s struggling with blocked arteries. The reasons? Sedentary jobs, high-stress lifestyles, processed food and genetics.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have a family history of heart attacks, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle much earlier than your friends,\u201d he warns. \u201cA heart attack at 45 likely began forming when you were 30. Prevention has to start early.\u201d<\/p>\n The workout paradox<\/strong><\/p>\n In recent years, there have been shocking headlines: celebrities, athletes, and even gym-goers collapsing mid-workout. How does this happen to people who seem \u201cfit\u201d?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s surprising even for us,\u201d admits Dr. Shafeeq. \u201cBut it brings up an important point: when and how to evaluate heart health.\u201d<\/p>\n The key lies in knowing your \u201cnumbers\u201d: LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI, and blood pressure. After 30 or 35, everyone should check these regularly. \u201cIf you suddenly start heavy workouts after a decade of inactivity, you may be triggering a problem that has been quietly building up,\u201d he warns. Basic tests like ECG, echocardiogram, and treadmill test can pick up risks. In some cases, doctors recommend coronary calcium scoring through a simple CT scan to check hidden blockages.<\/p>\n Even then, medicine has its blind spots. Dr. Shafeeq recalls the case of footballer Christian Eriksen, who collapsed during a 2020 Euro Cup match despite being under the best medical scrutiny.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had an electrical problem, not a block. These rare conditions can be missed, but they remind us that heart risks are real for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Stress: The silent killer<\/strong><\/p>\n Two decades ago, the average heart patient was 60. Today, cardiologists see patients as young as 40 or younger. Stress, Dr. Shafeeq believes, is a major culprit.<\/p>\n \u201cEarlier, people had 10-to-6 jobs. They left their work at the office. Now, you\u2019re connected 24\/7,\u201d he says. The constant mental load accelerates damage to the coronary arteries.<\/p>\n Companies abroad are experimenting with ways to break stress cycles. \u201cI\u2019ve heard of buddy walk programs where staff are pushed out for a 15\u201320 minute phone-free walk. That simple break refreshes the body and reduces stress,\u201d he notes. But in India, seeking counselling or mental health support is still not a common practice.<\/p>\n Take food in portions, not just choice<\/strong><\/p>\n While people often obsess over \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol, Dr. Shafeeq insists portion size is the real secret. \u201cThe magic is in stopping when you want to take that extra portion,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n As we age, calorie requirements fall, but many continue eating the way they did in their 20s. \u201cAfter 25\u201330, there\u2019s no more physical growth. Whatever grows is the bad growth,\u201d he cautions.<\/p>\n Cholesterol is just one piece of the puzzle. Food choices, portion size, and lifestyle matter equally. Dr. Shafeeq points out that even vegetarians aren\u2019t immune. North Indian communities with high-sugar, high-carb diets often report more heart disease than red meat-eating states.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need all those calories,\u201d he stresses. A peda, for instance, requires an hour\u2019s run to burn off. \u201cIt\u2019s not about cutting out your favourite food, it\u2019s about balance. If you eat a peda today, your other meals should be light.<\/p>\n The crispy evening bajjis are a trap<\/strong><\/p>\n If there\u2019s one food that deserves to be labelled \u201cheart-hostile,\u201d it\u2019s trans fat. Widely present in fried and processed snacks, it lingers in Kerala\u2019s booming tea shops and street food stalls.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce oil is boiled and reused, it turns into bad fat,\u201d Dr. Shafeeq warns. Unlike home cooking, where oil is used fresh, commercial eateries keep reusing the same vat of oil. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter whether it started as healthy oil; once reused and reheated, it\u2019s harmful.\u201d<\/p>\n The shift towards processed and fried foods, he says, is a dangerous cultural trend. \u201cIn healthier societies, people eat steamed or grilled food. Here, fried snacks are a staple. That habit has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n Busting the biggest myth: One magic medicine can completely remove blocks<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that medicines can remove artery blocks. \u201cThere is not a single medicine that removes blocks,\u201d Dr. Shafeeq clarifies. \u201cThey are a sign of ageing. You can colour your hair, but you can\u2019t stop it from greying. Similarly, you can only manage blocks, not erase them.\u201d<\/p>\n Some blocks can be lived with if other blood vessels create natural bypasses. But others need stents or surgery.<\/p>\n What medicines offer is control, preventing worsening and reducing the risk of complications. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean the block disappeared because of some miracle medicine or folk cure,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kozhikode: It costs less than a toffee, yet it can save your life. 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