Why are so many young people having heart attacks?

Aging has always been viewed as one of the biggest risk factors for heart attack. Heart attack, once considered as an old man’s disease, has reached the younger generation and the rate of heart attack among those under 40 years is quite alarming. Young adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are falling prey to cardiovascular diseases these days.

The reason for early heart attacks ranges from lifestyle choices to the family history of heart diseases. What is most frightening about heart attacks in young people is that it usually comes without any warning signs. For the same reason, those with the risk factors are advised to do health checkups once every six months, irrespective of their age and gender.

Below are the key risk factors associated with having heart attacks at an early age.

High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Diabetes
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Drug Usage(Marijuana, Cocaine, etc.)
Dietary choices
A sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity
Family history of heart problems

As in older adults, the root cause of heart attacks in most of these cases in young adults also arises from coronary artery diseases, i.e, cholesterol-filled blockages in the arteries that help in the proper functioning of the heart. However, the risk of heart attacks in young adults can be lowered to a big extent.

Maintaining a healthy diet is the key to prevent heart-related diseases. Staying physically active at least for 150 minutes a week is highly advisable. Also, maintaining a healthy weight can alleviate the risk of heart disease in young as well as older adults. People in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are more prone to stress and it is necessary to keep the stress under control with yoga, meditation, and fun activities. Keeping a check on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels give you an upper hand in these situations. Staying away from drugs, alcohol, and smoking are highly advisable for those with a higher risk of heart-related problems.

It is important to take care of your heart at any age. This concerning rise in heart attacks is evidence of how lifestyle changes affect people. Stay ahead of these problems by managing the risk factors at its earlier stage. Prevention is always better than a cure. Speak to our experts at the cardiology department at Specialist Hospital.