New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- Heart attack cases - which earlier were seen largely in adults - have now registered a sharp rise among people in their 40s and even younger individuals. The spike in cases has triggered panic, with many speculating about the causes and fuelling a wave of myths.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) - disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease - are the leading cause of death globally, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

A common misconception, experts say, is that being slim automatically means being fit. Dr Vishal Garg, a leading heart specialist at Jeewan Mala Hospital, Karol Bagh, spoke at length about the behavioura...