Young Cricketer Suffers Heart Attack: The Hidden Danger of Unstable Plaques
New Delhi: A shocking case in the emergency room has raised fresh concerns about heart health among young athletes. A 28-year-old, physically fit cricketer collapsed on the field due to a 100% artery blockage, despite having no prior symptoms. Though doctors performed an angioplasty, his arteries showed good elasticity, eliminating the need for a stent. But what led to his sudden heart attack?
The Role of Smoking and Unstable Plaques
Despite his fitness routine and clean diet, the patient was a heavy smoker, consuming a pack a day. According to doctors, this triggered inflammation and artery narrowing, making the small amount of plaque in his arteries unstable. The intense exertion of the cricket match dislodged the plaque, causing a sudden blockage and heart attack.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is a build-up of cholesterol and fat in the arteries, which can increase the risk of heart disease. There are three types:
- Calcified Plaques: Mostly made of calcium, they are more stable.
- Non-Calcified Plaques: Contain fibrous tissues and pose some risk.
- Low-Density Non-Calcified Plaques: The most dangerous, as they are soft, have a thin covering, and can rupture easily.
Why Are Unstable Plaques Dangerous?
Unstable plaques are particularly worrisome because of their thin outer layer, which weakens further due to inflammation caused by smoking, stress, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. When these plaques rupture, the body forms a blood clot to repair the damage, leading to a complete artery blockage and triggering a heart attack.
How to Prevent Unstable Plaques?
Doctors warn that smoking is the biggest risk factor for unstable plaques, even in young and fit individuals. Experts recommend:
✔ Regular health checkups, including blood tests and lipid profiles
✔ Managing hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes
✔ Testing for C-reactive protein (CRP) – a key marker of inflammation linked to heart attacks
