"As a cardiologist, I cannot stress this point enough. Time is invaluable in the event of a heart attack. After an attack, every passing minute causes more damage, so make sure you rush the patient to the hospital as soon as possible," says Dr Dargad.

Ricky Martin feels that the reason for his heart attack was a failed relationship and a bad lifestyle. "When I broke up with my girl, I went into a deep depression and my stress levels sky-rocketed. I was working long, erratic hours, skipping meals and not eating healthy. After the attack, though, I've started taking better care of myself," he says.

Ricky no longer eats oily, fatty food and has quit his job. He eats very little non-vegetarian food, and no red meat. Though he is not supposed to, he sometimes rides a bike or drives a car. He has also made an effort to control his stress levels. If he feels tense, or remembers memories that cause stress, he immediately gets palpitations. He watches TV or listens to music to distract himself from the stress.

"By God's grace I am still alive. I would like to tell all young people to be extremely careful -- to give up habits like smoking and drinking, and also to realise that heart disease is no longer an old person's affliction. Life is precious; don't take it lightly," he warns.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and by making a few lifestyle changes, you can greatly increase your chances of having a healthy heart. Medication can only retard the further progression of heart disease; it can't reverse the damage.

So listen to your heart and take care of it.

Also see: Smoking: Why the first puff can get you hooked