Dr Ramesh Dargad, a cardiologist with the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai says, "In India, I see people being plagued by heart disease at an age that is ten years less than their foreign counterparts. We have to understand that our genes are against us and we need to make up for it by being more careful."

If you feel a pain on the left side of your chest that feels like a compression, you should visit a doctor. The pain may sometimes spread to the arm, back or jaw as well. However, if the pain is a sharp one that increases when you take a breath, chances are, it's not your heart that's causing it.

Palpitations, sudden belching, stomach pains, indigestion, sweating, nausea and panting are also warning signs that need to be checked out. If you find that you cannot walk briskly or climb stairs without panting or getting chest pains, make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Says Dr Juneja, "A lot of symptoms are often mistaken for acidity and gastric problems. People think its nothing, and feel embarrassed to go to a doctor for what they think is simply acidity. This is a mistake. No matter how foolish you feel about it, you should get every symptom checked out."

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