A study has indicated a concerning increase in heart problems among young adults, attributed to deteriorating lifestyle habits such as poor diet and lack of exercise.
According to National Geographic, of particular alarm is the global rise in heart attacks among younger adults, despite a decline in older age groups, prompting doctors to label it a public health emergency.
While cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack, both events raise broader questions about heart health in the younger population. Dr. Ron Blankstein from Brigham and Women’s Hospital emphasizes that cardiovascular disease is preventable with the right steps.
A study covering young adults admitted for heart attacks between 2000 and 2016 found a notable increase in those aged 40 or younger, with an annual rise of 2 percent over a decade.
Heart disease’s surge in younger adults has contributed to a 4 percent decline in recent US life expectancy, as reported in JAMA Network.
The issue is not confined to the United States, with similar trends observed in countries like Pakistan and India. Recent studies challenge the assumption that heart attacks predominantly affect men, revealing a rise among younger women, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity are identified as major risk factors for heart disease, often stemming from unhealthy lifestyle choices.
COVID, in turn, appears to have an immediate impact on cardiovascular health, with a 14 percent increase in heart attack deaths within the first year of the pandemic, especially among adults aged 25 to 44.
Factors like tobacco, drug use, and alcohol have also been associated with increased heart attack risks in younger adults.
