A heart attack is a serious health issue. More concerning is that heart attack issues are increasing among young individuals, particularly those in their twenties and thirties.
Previously, persons over the age of 40 were thought to be in the greatest danger of having a heart attack. But these days, heart issues mostly affect those between 20 and 30.
Knowing the actual causes of having more heart attacks might help you prevent cardiovascular disease.
This blog will help you understand the causes of a heart attack at an early age and what preventive steps you can take to improve your heart health.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is a life-threatening & lethal medical emergency. The heart condition may occur to anyone where heart muscle begins to die caused by the poor blood supply. A blockage often causes this in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
If blood flow is not quickly restored, a heart attack can result in extreme cardiac damage and death.
What are the common symptoms of a heart attack?
Some heart attacks are intense and sudden and cause medical emergencies. But most start gradually, with little pain or discomfort. The following are common signs & symptoms of a heart attack:
- Tightness & pain in the chest
- Pressure, soreness, squeezing discomfort in arms & leg
- Frequent nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach discomfort
- Breathing difficulty
- Sweating cold
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness or dizziness that occurs suddenly
What causes a heart attack at a young age?
People commonly believe that the risk of heart disease increases as a man enters his fifties and a woman reaches the age of 65. But these days, heart diseases or other conditions that contribute to heart difficulties, such as hypertension or bad cholesterol and triglycerides, are rising in adults in their 20s, 30, and 40s.
The main causes of a heart attack at an early age are an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. The modern way of living increases the risk of a heart attack in young people. Following are the few other causes of a heart attack in the young generation.
- Stress & Anxiety –
Young people face a lot of stress, including performance stress, financial stress, and lifestyle stress, contributing to smoking, drinking, and bad food habits and patterns. This also may lead to unnecessary weight gain. In turn, puts strain on the heart, perhaps leading to a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or arrhythmia.
- Unhealthy dietary habits –
Deep-fried meals, white bread, cookies, cakes, and pastries contain trans fats, boosting LDL (bad cholesterol). LDL collects in cardiac blood arteries. This narrows the blood artery and restricts blood flow to the heart. This may result in a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Today’s youth follow extreme diets and consume dangerous health supplements. You should avoid taking Any diet plan or health supplements without discussing it with a doctor or dietitian.
- Obesity –
Obesity raises your blood pressure which is one of the main causes of a heart attack at an early age. Fat people require more blood to supply oxygen and nourishment to their bodies, which raises blood pressure. Additionally, your body will demand extra pressure to circulate this blood around. High blood pressure is also a major & significant cause of heart attacks, unfortunately, more common in fat people.
- Diabetes –
This is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting young adults. Diabetes makes you twice as likely as someone without diabetes to get heart disease or a stroke at a younger age. The longer you have diabetes, the more vulnerable you will become to heart disease.
- Unbalanced lifestyle –
A person’s health is affected by a lack of physical activity, prolonged sitting habits in front of a laptop or TV, irregular sleeping patterns, excessive screen time, and an incorrect food routine. An unbalanced lifestyle causes various heart issues in youngsters. Working in these areas can provide significant health benefits to people of all ages.
Ways to prevent the risk of heart disease at any age – Because sustaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is a lifetime habit. It may feel more achievable if you set particular goals and priorities appropriate to your daily routine. The following are the few tips that can help you put your heart and overall health on top.
This is aimed to be a high-level heart disease preventative strategy. Also, you can consult a cardiologist about more specific priorities depending on your specific health needs.
- Prioritize your mental health, whatever that means to you. Restart your sleeping regimen.
- To avoid major effects, keep up with yearly check-ups and screenings.
- Limit your consumption of salt and cholesterol.
- It would be best if you did Moderate exercise at least 5-times a week.
- Consume nutritious foods. All good choices are fresh vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, eggs, fish, soy products, nuts, seeds, lentils, and lean meats like chicken.
- Avoid eating red meat, refined wheat flour, white bread, pasta, sugary drinks, sweets, and deep-fried dishes, among other things.
- Stop smoking and drinking straight away immediately.
- Regularly check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
How does a doctor detect a heart attack?
A cardiologist at the heart hospital often diagnoses heart attacks. A heart attack is diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner using the following criteria:
- History and symptoms –
The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and your family history of heart issues.
- Lab testing –
Heart attacks create a unique chemical marker to appear in your blood.
- Heart-specific diagnostic tests –
Diagnostics that detect and record electrical activity in your heart.
- Imaging tests –
These allow physicians to “see” within your heart. Many of these tests can also pinpoint the origin of a blood flow blockage, which can help guide treatment.
Conclusion – cause of heart attack
Heart attacks concern young adults, but you can avoid them by adopting a healthy and productive lifestyle. You can make lifestyle adjustments and use appropriate medications to maintain your health. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana, regulate your cholesterol and stay healthy. As an adult, there is very little you can do to maintain your health. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of a heart attack. You can regularly monitor your heart health by visiting a cardiologist in Kolkata.
