Heart Disease in Young Adults: Causes & Prevention

Heart attacks, heart disease, and cardiac failure are no longer conditions that affect older individuals. It strikes the young, and people who are in their early 40s or even late 30s in some cases, show symptoms of heart disease, though the signs and symptoms may be very subtle and not very noticeable.  Statistics in India are downright scary- almost half of all heart attacks in the country occurred in young adults below 40 years of age, between 2020 and 2023. Heart attack risk in youth is much higher these days due to a variety of reasons. Let us learn more about them in greater detail in this blog. 

Causes Of Heart Problems In Young Adults

Heart disease never strikes suddenly. It always starts slowly and then gets worse over the years. Apart from the usual causes, which include genetics or a family history, the others you should know of are all related to your daily lifestyle. Here are 6 well-known causes (or poor choices) most of us make, along with helpful lifestyle tips for heart health-

• Poor dietary choices– a diet heavy in oily or fatty snacks, junk food, carbonated drinks, and not including fresh produce of different types on a daily basis is a big red flag. 
• Not exercising regularly– You should try to exercise for about 2-3 hours a week, and it has to be moderately challenging for you. It does not need to be extreme, like an intense HIIT session, but you could go for a brisk walk or do some yoga. 
• Being a couch ( or office chair) potato is never good– A sedentary lifestyle increases your risks of suffering from metabolic diseases. 
• Managing Stress- Most of us keep chasing the next promotion or the next degree, or think about the next job, car or house we need to get. While all that is part and parcel of normal life, stressing out about them all every single day is bad for your heart and health in general. The stress is never just mental- it is physiological too, as high levels of cortisol affect you negatively and mess with your bodily functions. 
• Not getting enough sleep and giving in to doomscrolling at night, or wanting to catch up on your favorite series by pulling an all-nighter, needs to stop right away. Nor is trying to catch up on more work at night a good idea. There is a reason your working hours are fixed. So, come home, unwind, eat a good meal, and go to bed! 
• Smoking, drinking, or the use of recreational drugs can feel rewarding or even addictive, but are bad for your heart and brain health in the long term. So, refrain from doing any of those excessively, or if you can, stop completely. 

Sticking to these 6 basic components of your daily routine will greatly help you prevent heart disease early and even much later, when you are older.

Conclusion

Getting timely medical check ups is also super important- and even if you feel completely fine, it makes sense to get an annual check up done. This is to see how you are faring, with respect to health, overall. You should not wait to get tested unless it is for insurance purposes or if you have been showing signs or symptoms that may seem worrisome. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help improve your outcomes immensely. Simpler treatments may be used to help you get better, instead of having to go for more complex ones. With heart disease, prevention literally is the cure or the root for all timely cures, so pay attention to what you eat, drink, and when you exercise and sleep. When all is said and done, health is literally all the wealth you have (apart from that great promotion or vacation you are aiming for, that is.)

FAQs