#Heartattack

Public health experts are sounding a clear message: heart attacks don’t always announce themselves with dramatic scenes. New research and expert synthesis highlight a spectrum of warning signs—many subtle, some silent—and they all demand swift action. For Thai readers, the takeaway is practical and urgent: learn the signs, don’t delay, and seek emergency care immediately if something feels off. Experts emphasize that time matters more than the drama of symptoms, because every minute without blood flow to the heart increases the risk of permanent damage. In an era of increasingly diverse risk profiles and aging populations, this evolving understanding is already reshaping how families, clinics, and communities respond to chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and the other less obvious signals of a heart attack.

A ubiquitous sugar substitute found in Thai supermarkets, bakeries, bubble tea shops, and increasingly in “health” products, erythritol, has emerged as a fresh concern for heart health. Recent scientific studies—including a major investigation led by the University of Colorado Boulder—reveal that consuming even a typical serving of erythritol may rapidly trigger changes in blood vessels and platelets that set the stage for heart attack and stroke. With sugar-free and “keto” diets growing in popularity across Thailand, these findings carry weighty implications for millions of Thai consumers who have long considered erythritol as a harmless alternative to sugar.

A familiar sugar substitute found across Thai supermarkets, bakeries, and bubble tea shops is drawing renewed scrutiny. Erythritol, popular in sugar-free and “health” products, may trigger immediate changes in blood vessels and platelets that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. With many Thais turning to sugar-free and keto options, these findings carry significant implications for millions who view erythritol as harmless.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol produced by fermenting corn or wheat starch. It is marketed as a natural, low-calorie option suitable for people with diabetes or those following low-carb regimens. Regulators in the United States and Southeast Asia have approved its use, helping it become widespread in beverages, snacks, toothpaste, and personal care items. Unlike some sugar alcohols, it typically causes little digestive upset, which adds to its popularity.