Heart attacks aren’t usually top of mind for younger adults, and cardiovascular care teams want to help change that.
According to Dr. Richard Santa Cruz, a cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, younger people are experiencing more cardiovascular issues than in the past. That includes heart attack.
“A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when part of the heart muscle is deprived of blood,” said Dr. Santa Cruz. “The more time that passes without restoring blood flow, the more damage the heart muscle may experience.”
The uptick of heart attack incidents in younger people is said to be tied to an increased incidence of heart attack risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Experts like Dr. Santa Cruz see the trend playing out locally.
“We’re finding people developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol at a younger age. This puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Santa Cruz said. “Regardless of age, it’s important to think about what you can do to decrease your cardiovascular disease risk.”
Exploring the Findings
A 2019 American College Cardiology (ACC) study showed a steady annual increase in the number of heart attacks among people under age 40. The report found that young heart attack patients have the same rate of adverse outcomes from heart attacks as older heart attack sufferers. These include increased likelihood of dying from another heart attack or a stroke.
“Factors like sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, high stress levels, and growing obesity rates are contributing to other health problems,” Dr. Santa Cruz said. “These put people at increased risk for a heart attack.”
Knowing the Signs
Knowledge is key when it comes to cardiovascular health, Dr. Santa Cruz said.
“Don’t assume you’re too young to have a heart attack,” he said. “People of all ages should know the signs and symptoms and seek help immediately if they experience them.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, such as pressure, squeezing, or fullness
- Cold sweat
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, arms, lower abdomen, or back
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath, either at the same time as or before chest discomfort
- Women, in particular, may experience fainting, light-headedness, indigestion, and extreme fatigue
Reduce Risk Factors
“Everyone can benefit from following heart-healthy habits,” Dr. Santa Cruz said. “We can all give our hearts a gift by diligently working to reduce our heart attack risk factors.”
He encouraged people younger and not-so-young to:
- Eat a healthy diet. Embrace a diet filled with healthy grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Minimize the intake of added sugars, sodium, and processed foods.
- Get active. Aim for a total of 150 minutes of exercise each week, which is just over 21 minutes each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If overweight, seek the help of a health care provider.
- Quit smoking. Smoking damages the lining of blood vessels, causing them to narrow and harden. This reduces blood flow to the heart.
- Keep cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels at healthy levels. If levels are high, a health care team can offer recommendations to better normalize them. Medication may be prescribed if lifestyle changes don’t work.
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol can raise blood pressure, which puts more stress on the heart.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress can increase inflammation in the body and lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. This in turn can lead to heart disease.
- Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep puts more stress on the nervous system, which increases blood pressure and heart rate.
“The choices we make throughout life accumulate,” Dr. Santa Cruz said. “You’re never too young or too old to begin making smarter choices for your heart and overall health.”
Dr. Santa Cruz wants young and mature adults alike to make wellness visits and preventive care a normal part of their lives. Doing so helps a person’s primary care team and, if needed, their cardiovascular care team, effectively work together to better identify potential health issues early, manage chronic conditions, and promote well-being. Visit ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care for more information.
