Kozhikode: It costs less than a toffee, yet it can save your life. Aspirin, one of the world’s most studied and widely used drugs, but shockingly, many patients still resist taking it, often with fatal consequences.
“Aspirin has cumulatively saved more lives than all firefighters put together,” says Dr. Shafeeq Mattummal, Chair & Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Centre for Heart & Vascular Care, Meitra Hospital. “It’s cheap, available free in government centres, and yet people hesitate.”
Dr. Shafeeq Mattummal
The tiny tablet that stops a heart attack
Heart attacks don’t 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’s where aspirin steps in.
“In low doses, aspirin prevents clot formation, which is the final trigger of most heart attacks and strokes,” explains Dr. Shafeeq. “That tiny tablet can help in stopping a fatal event.”
Why fear keeps people away
Despite its proven benefits, patients often fear that long-term medicines will “damage kidneys” or “weaken the body.” Dr. Shafeeq calls this WhatsApp University medicine, myths spread without evidence.
“No doctor would give you something that kills your kidneys. Stick to your physician’s advice. Modern medicine is why life expectancy in Kerala is among the highest in the world.”
Younger hearts, greater risks
Two decades ago, the average patient on a cardiologist’s 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.
“If you have a family history of heart attacks, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle much earlier than your friends,” he warns. “A heart attack at 45 likely began forming when you were 30. Prevention has to start early.”
The workout paradox
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 “fit”?
“It’s surprising even for us,” admits Dr. Shafeeq. “But it brings up an important point: when and how to evaluate heart health.”
The key lies in knowing your “numbers”: LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI, and blood pressure. After 30 or 35, everyone should check these regularly. “If you suddenly start heavy workouts after a decade of inactivity, you may be triggering a problem that has been quietly building up,” 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.
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.
“He had an electrical problem, not a block. These rare conditions can be missed, but they remind us that heart risks are real for everyone.”
Stress: The silent killer
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.
“Earlier, people had 10-to-6 jobs. They left their work at the office. Now, you’re connected 24/7,” he says. The constant mental load accelerates damage to the coronary arteries.
Companies abroad are experimenting with ways to break stress cycles. “I’ve heard of buddy walk programs where staff are pushed out for a 15–20 minute phone-free walk. That simple break refreshes the body and reduces stress,” he notes. But in India, seeking counselling or mental health support is still not a common practice.
Take food in portions, not just choice
While people often obsess over “good” and “bad” cholesterol, Dr. Shafeeq insists portion size is the real secret. “The magic is in stopping when you want to take that extra portion,” he says.
As we age, calorie requirements fall, but many continue eating the way they did in their 20s. “After 25–30, there’s no more physical growth. Whatever grows is the bad growth,” he cautions.
Cholesterol is just one piece of the puzzle. Food choices, portion size, and lifestyle matter equally. Dr. Shafeeq points out that even vegetarians aren’t immune. North Indian communities with high-sugar, high-carb diets often report more heart disease than red meat-eating states.
“You don’t need all those calories,” he stresses. A peda, for instance, requires an hour’s run to burn off. “It’s not about cutting out your favourite food, it’s about balance. If you eat a peda today, your other meals should be light.
The crispy evening bajjis are a trap
If there’s one food that deserves to be labelled “heart-hostile,” it’s trans fat. Widely present in fried and processed snacks, it lingers in Kerala’s booming tea shops and street food stalls.
“Once oil is boiled and reused, it turns into bad fat,” Dr. Shafeeq warns. Unlike home cooking, where oil is used fresh, commercial eateries keep reusing the same vat of oil. “It doesn’t matter whether it started as healthy oil; once reused and reheated, it’s harmful.”
The shift towards processed and fried foods, he says, is a dangerous cultural trend. “In healthier societies, people eat steamed or grilled food. Here, fried snacks are a staple. That habit has to change.”
Busting the biggest myth: One magic medicine can completely remove blocks
One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that medicines can remove artery blocks. “There is not a single medicine that removes blocks,” Dr. Shafeeq clarifies. “They are a sign of ageing. You can colour your hair, but you can’t stop it from greying. Similarly, you can only manage blocks, not erase them.”
Some blocks can be lived with if other blood vessels create natural bypasses. But others need stents or surgery.
What medicines offer is control, preventing worsening and reducing the risk of complications. “But that doesn’t mean the block disappeared because of some miracle medicine or folk cure,” he adds.