Heart attack is a concerning problem. But there is something more worrisome: heart attacks are becoming more common among young adults under the age of 40, particularly those in their twenties and thirties. Earlier people above the age of 40 were considered to have the biggest risk of heart attacks, but these days the problem is typically affecting those in the age group of 20-30 years.
As we move ahead in the blog, it’ll educate about heart attack, its causes, and develop a long-term plan to prevent heart attack at an early age.
What is a Heart Attack?
When the blood supply to the heart is cut off, a heart attack occurs. The most common cause of blockage is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other chemicals in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, forming plaque. A plaque can burst and generate a clot, obstructing blood flow. Parts of the heart muscle can be damaged or destroyed if blood flow is disrupted.
Although a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, can be fatal, therapy has vastly improved over the years. If you think you’re experiencing a heart attack, contact 112 or get emergency medical care right away.
Symptoms of Heart Attack
Below listed are the symptoms associated with a heart attack:
- Pain or building up pressure in your chest or arms, tightness, or a squeezing or hurting sensation that may move to your neck, jaw, or back.
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal pain
- Breathing problems
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
Heart attacks Affecting 20-30-year-Olds
Heart attacks were once thought to be an issue for the elderly. A heart attack in someone under the age of 40 was extremely uncommon. One in every five heart attack patients is now under the age of 40.
The most troubling fact is that heart attacks affect more people in their 20s & 30s, as it has become more common at this age. Patients in their 20s and 30s face the same dangers associated with heart attacks. Regardless of your age, you have the same chance of dying from a second major heart event or a stroke after your first heart attack.
Increasing Risk of Diabetes
There’s a reason why heart attacks are so common in young people these days: The increasing risk factor of Diabetes 2. Young people suffering from diabetes have more chances of having death through heart disease/heart attack than those without diabetes. When your blood sugar level is uncontrolled to stay at a healthy level, it leads to heart problems. High blood sugar harms blood vessels, increasing the risk of lipids accumulating in arteries and causing atherosclerosis.
Patients with diabetes are also more likely to have other chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which raise the risk of a heart attack.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a number of factors, which includes:
- Obesity and weight gain
- Reduced physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy dietary choices
- Increasing risk of Hypertension in young people
One of the most critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension or high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the incidence of hypertension has become more prevalent in young adults than in older people. High blood pressure causes heart muscle thickening, damages blood arteries, and raises the risk of a heart attack.
Overweight and Obesity
Increased weight or obesity has a major contribution in increasing the chances of a heart attack in younger people. Excess weight puts a lot of strain on your heart. Even if you’re healthy, obesity is the factor that can increase the chances of a heart attack. Patients who are overweight or obese, on the other hand, are more likely to have additional health problems that affect their heart health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Smoking
Among the many factors that contribute to heart attacks in young adults, smoking cigarettes is one of the most prominent causes. The quantity of cigarettes you smoke raises your chance of a heart attack. When compared to nonsmokers, smoking one pack every day more than doubles your risk of a heart attack. The same applies to e-cigarettes, nicotine and other harmful substances in e-cigarettes speed up your heart rate and elevate your blood pressure.
Other unhealthy habits
Health practitioners are still researching the effect of marijuana on your heart. But it is also known that it boosts your heart rate and raises the risk of a heart attack. The same is the problem with cocaine, it increases heart rate, hardens the blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. These are the problems associated with heart attacks.
Conclusion
Heart attack is a concerning factor for young adults, but it can be prevented by introducing a healthy and productive lifestyle. You can do this by making lifestyle changes and taking proper medications whenever required to maintain your health. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, control cholesterol, and keep yourself healthy. As an adult there is so little you can do to keep yourself healthy. Introduce a healthy lifestyle and prevent the danger of heart attack.
