From decreased walking pace to fatigue to stamina: CMC Vellore doctor says it could be a warning sign of heart attack

What if your heart was trying to warn you years before a heart attack? According to CMC Vellore–trained neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, the body often drops subtle hints as early as 12 years in advance—but most people mistake them for “just aging.” From losing stamina to feeling breathless during routine activities, these early red flags could be your heart asking for help long before a crisis strikes.

Dr Kumar explained in a YouTube video that research shows cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure rarely happen out of the blue. Instead, the warning signs creep in slowly.

What are the early warning signs?

According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, some of the biggest clues include declining stamina year by year, finding it harder to brisk-walk 5 km in an hour (especially between ages 18–60), unusual fatigue even with daily activities, and needing more rest than before for the same effort.


He urged people not to dismiss these changes as normal ageing. “Your heart warns you early. If you listen, you can prevent a crisis,” he said.

What can you do?

Dr Kumar recommends simple but powerful lifestyle changes—stay active with regular brisk walking, running, swimming, or cycling; cut down on junk and processed food; take breaks from long sitting hours; and ensure good sleep and stress management.


In an earlier post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Kumar also shared that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) often starts to decline about 12 years before a cardiovascular disease diagnosis, with a sharp drop around two years prior. While some decline in activity is normal with age, those who develop heart problems see a much steeper fall compared to healthy individuals.


That’s why he stresses building consistent activity habits early in life—at least 150 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, or swimming every week. And for those who’ve already had a heart-related event, he advises gradually resuming physical activity under medical guidance instead of slipping into a sedentary lifestyle.