“You’re too young for heart problems.” This is what everyone would say – until you’re 36, seemingly healthy, and clutching your chest in traffic, not sure if it’s gas or a heart attack. That happened with one of our patients. Mr. Dinesh Dagar was in his late 30s when he came to us after experiencing breathlessness and minor chest pain now and then. He was diagnosed with low ejection fraction, and his heart was pumping only 20%. But today he lives free from any heart worries… to find out how, read on!
At SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, led by Dr. Bimal Chhajer, we see dozens of patients under 40 each week with significant blockage in the arteries, some as high as 70% heart blockage, and no surgical plan in mind. Thankfully, with our non-invasive heart treatment, especially EECP therapy in Delhi/NCR, we have shown that it is possible to reverse heart disease without surgery and even avoid bypass surgery altogether.
So what is causing alarming rise? Despite fitness trends, healthy foods, and modern awareness, why are so many young Indians developing severe heart issues?
Let’s decode it
What Does 70% Heart Blockage Mean?
“70% heart blockage” means one of your heart’s major arteries is 70% narrowed by plaque – a sticky mix of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other materials. Consider your artery like a pipe. If it’s 70% clogged, only 30% space remains for blood to circulate. It’s not fully closed, but your heart has to work harder every second just to push blood through.
This doesn’t occur overnight. It takes years of subtle damage accumulating. But many of us do not feel any symptoms until the blockage is dangerously high.
How Common Is Heart Blockage in Young Indians?
Prepare yourself. These numbers aren’t just scary – they’re real.
- According to the Indian Heart Journal,2024, 25% of all heart attacks in India occur in patients below 40 years old.
- A study from Lancet Global Health states that Indians develop heart disease 10–15 years earlier than their Western counterparts.
Why Is This Happening So Early? The Causes of Heart Blockage
Certainly, premature cardiovascular disease is a concern for many in India today. While traditional risk factors like diet and exercise play a role, the biological and cultural realities of modern Indian life reflect underlying physiological vulnerabilities.
- Indians Have Smaller Arteries Genetically
Yes, really. Indian arteries are narrower than Western counterparts, which means blockage becomes serious much faster.
- Hidden LDL (Small Dense Cholesterol Particles)
Standard lipid tests miss this. Many “healthy” people have normal cholesterol but high small dense LDL, the most dangerous form of cholesterol that causes plaque.
- High Stress, Low Sleep, and Burnout Culture
Young professionals in India average 6.1 hours of sleep. That’s enough to make cortisol, the stress hormone, rise and promote plaque formation.
- Zero-Oil Awareness, But All-Oil Living
Even “healthy cooking” at home often involves refined oils, reheated fats, and trans-fats. These are silent killers. At SAAOL, we’ve pioneered the Zero-Oil cooking and heart-healthy diet, which many young patients adopt after their first wake-up call.
What Are the Symptoms of 70% Heart Blockage Before 40?
There may be no warning signs. But watch out for these:
- Chest Tightness or heaviness (not always “pain”)
- Breathlessness during or after minimal workouts
- Pain in the jaw, shoulders, or back
- Fatigue that doesn’t make sense
- Palpitations or feeling dizzy after meals
- “Gas-like” symptoms that keep occurring
Women and diabetics often don’t get classic symptoms, which makes diagnosis even tougher.
How Can EECP Treatment at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi Help Avoid Bypass Surgery?
EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation), an advanced non-surgical heart treatment utilizing external leg cuffs, synchronizes with the heartbeat to enhance blood flow to the heart, enabling the formation of vital natural bypasses. At SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, we’ve observed patients with 70-90% blockages who avoid open-heart surgery, improve ejection fraction markers, regain vigor within weeks, and potentially reverse disease progression non-invasively through EECP.
For those diagnosed before age 40, important questions arise. Is the heart blockage recent or long-calcified? Single-vessel or scattered plaque? What is the ejection fraction percentage? Can EECP or lifestyle changes help before stenting? Remember: Just because a stent is recommended doesn’t mean it’s the only way.
How Is Early Heart Blockage Detected by SAAOL Heartcare?
These are the top diagnostic tools:
| Test Name | Purpose |
| CT Angiography | Shows % blockage in arteries |
| TMT (Stress Test) | Detects poor blood flow during exertion |
| Echocardiography | Measures pumping strength (EF%) |
| Lipid Profile + Lp(a) | Checks for cholesterol & genetic risk |
| HS-CRP & Homocysteine | Checks inflammation levels in the blood |
Most young Indians never get these tests done until symptoms appear.
What Can You Do Right Now If You’re under 40, according to Dr. Bimal Chhajer?
- Get your lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels checked. It’s a strong predictor of heart disease in Indians.
- Adopt the Zero-Oil Diet. Not “less oil” — zero. The difference is dramatic.
- Sleep 7–8 hours. Religiously.
- Reduce sugar intake — even “natural” sugars.
- Get a heart health screening even if you “feel fine.”
Can 70% Heart Blockage Be Reversed Without Surgery?
Yes, and we see it happen every day at SAAOL, including Mr. Dinesh Dagar, who not only improved his ejection fraction and avoided bypass surgery but also reversed his heart condition and has committed to adhering to the lifestyle modifications suggested by SAAOL Heartcare to continue living a worry-free life. With EECP therapy, Zero-Oil Diet, and lifestyle intervention, patients as young as 40 have shown reduction in angina, improvement in stamina, and reversal in plaque progression (seen via follow-up CT angiography). Don’t wait for the symptoms to show up. Act fast, act early!
FAQs
- Can a 70% heart blockage be treated without surgery?
Yes. At SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, EECP therapy combined with the Zero-Oil heart-healthy diet has reversed blockage in over 6 lakh patients.
- Why are young Indians getting heart disease so early?
Because of genetic risk, poor diet, chronic stress, and lack of preventive screening.
- Is a 70% heart blockage in one artery dangerous?
Yes. Especially if it’s in a major artery like LAD. You may not have symptoms, but it increases the risk of a heart attack.
- How long does EECP treatment at SAAOL Heartcare take?
Typically, 40 sessions over a few weeks. Non-invasive, painless, and effective.
- What diet can help with heart blockage?
A zero-oil, plant-based diet with low salt and no processed food can slow or reverse heart disease.
- What tests should I get if I’m under 40 but worried?
Get an advanced lipid profile, CT angiography (if needed), Lp(a), TMT, and inflammatory markers.
Conclusion: You’re Not Too Young. Heart Disease Is Too Fast.
There’s a rise in heart attacks among young Indians, and it’s high time you take your heart health seriously, way before it needs to be. If you’ve been diagnosed with 70% heart blockage before 40, don’t panic, but don’t delay either. Understand your options. Demand second opinions. And above all, choose a path that heals, not just cuts and inserts. At SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, we believe that the body can heal, not through guesswork, but through a scientific, zero-oil, non-surgical heart treatment that’s helped over 6 lakh Indians get their life back.
Need Help Understanding Your Report or Scans?
Book your non-invasive heart consultation with Dr. Bimal Chhajer’s team today. Let’s walk through your tests together. Let’s make sure your heart and your hope don’t fail you.