A decade ago, it was uncommon to see a family or friends bringing a young adult to the hospital due to a heart attack. Regrettably, this scenario has changed significantly. The increasing prevalence of heart attacks and heart failure among young adults worldwide is deeply concerning. No longer confined to older individuals, heart attacks are now occurring in individuals as young as their twenties. This shift highlights the urgency of addressing heart health across all age groups.

In March 2023, a 45-year-old man arrived at the emergency room experiencing increasing breathlessness over the past two days, particularly worsening while lying down, especially at night. As a Chronic Kidney Disease patient undergoing dialysis for the past three years, his breathlessness was attributed to heart failure secondary to a silent heart attack, which had resulted in a 50% damage to his heart muscle—a condition that could also lead to cardiac arrest. The patient was stabilized with medication, and subsequent coronary angiography revealed a complete blockage of his main artery. He underwent successful angioplasty surgery and stenting, and his condition has since improved.

Like the individual in this case, we encounter many people in their 30s and 40s, or even younger, who face heart-related issues. Heart ailments do not discriminate; they can occur unexpectedly in individuals of any age.

Causes of Increasing Heart Related issues in Young Adults:

According to heart specialists, the common causes of increasing heart issues in young adults include:

1. Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices: Young adults today often live sedentary lifestyles, spending long hours sitting and eating diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats. These habits can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all of which increase the risk of heart failure.
2. Smoking: Even though people know the risks, many young adults still smoke cigarettes, use hookahs, or try e-cigarettes. Smoking is a big risk for heart problems and can make heart failure happen faster.
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4. Substance Abuse: Drinking too much alcohol and using drugs, especially stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, can harm the heart. They can cause a condition called cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle weakens, which can lead to a heart attack.
5. Stress and Mental Health: Being stressed, anxious, or depressed for a long time can make your body's stress response stronger. This can raise your blood pressure and cause inflammation, which can lead to heart problems and heart failure
6. Environmental Factors: Breathing in polluted air and toxins from the environment can make the risk of heart disease and heart failure higher, especially in cities with bad air quality.
7. Delayed Medical Care: Young adults might not notice the signs of heart disease or might wait too long before seeing a doctor. Waiting can let heart problems get worse without being treated.
8. Lack of Awareness: Many young adults might not realize they could be at risk of heart disease, thinking it's something that only affects older people. Because of this, they might not take steps to prevent it or get regular check-ups.

Factors Increasing the Risk of a Heart Attack:

Some factors that increase the risk of heart disease cannot be controlled and require medical intervention. However, there are other factors that can be managed through lifestyle changes. These include:

• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure, also called hypertension, happens when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries stays high for a long time. This can hurt the arteries and make them more likely to get blocked, which can cause heart attacks, even in young adults.
• Obesity: Being significantly overweight puts extra pressure on the heart. Too much body fat can lead to problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, which make heart attacks more likely in young adults.
• High Cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol, especially the "bad" LDL cholesterol, can build up on artery walls and form plaques. These plaques can narrow and block blood vessels, raising the risk of heart attacks in young adults.
• Kidney Disease: The kidneys help control blood pressure. If they're not working well, blood pressure can go up and stress the heart. Also, kidney problems can mess up the balance of minerals in the blood, which can hurt the heart.
• Diabetes: Many people don't realize that diabetes is a big risk for heart failure. People with diabetes are more likely to have silent heart attacks and damage to their heart muscles. So, it's not just about controlling blood sugar; it's also about checking your overall heart health.
• Blood Vessel Tears: When blood vessels tear or rupture, it can cause blood clots to form. These clots can lead to heart attacks, which can be very dangerous. It's important to understand the importance of preventing these issues and to get medical help quickly if you notice any signs of a heart attack.
• Sleep Apnea: Not getting enough air while sleeping, called sleep apnea, can also lead to heart failure. This happens because it lowers the oxygen in your blood and raises the chance of heart problems like heart attacks. Sleep apnea is often linked with being overweight.
• Genetic Factors: Some young adults might inherit heart conditions like cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. These genetic factors can cause heart failure, even if they don't have typical risk factors. It's important for people of all ages to take care of their heart health and see a heart doctor regularly to catch and treat heart problems early.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

The symptoms of a heart attack are similar in younger adults as they are in older ones, but they can be tricky to spot early because they're subtle and easy to overlook. However, it's really important to catch them early for prompt treatment. Keep an eye out for symptoms like:

• Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired or having much less energy than usual, even after getting enough rest or sleep.
• Shortness of Breath: Feeling short of breath, especially when doing physical activities or lying down flat, but feeling better when sitting up.
• Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat: Feeling your heart beating fast or irregularly, known as palpitations.
• Swelling: Swelling or fluid buildup, often seen in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen.
• Persistent Cough or Wheezing: A long-lasting cough that might bring up white or pink mucus, or wheezing because of fluid buildup in the lungs.
• Reduced Exercise Tolerance: Finding it hard to do physical activities that used to be easy to manage.
• Chest Pain or Discomfort: Though not as common, some young adults with heart failure might feel chest pain or discomfort.
• Weight Gain: Gaining weight unintentionally because of fluid buildup in the body.

Preventing Heart Attack in Young Adults

To prevent heart failure in young adults, it's important to live a heart-healthy lifestyle and tackle factors that can lead to heart issues. Here are some ways you can lower the risk of heart failure:

• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Try to eat less saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. Watch how much you eat so you don't overdo it.
• Maintain an Active Lifestyle: Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week. Regular physical activity helps keep your weight in check, reduces blood pressure, and makes your heart healthier overall.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reaching and keeping a healthy weight eases the burden on your heart and lowers the chance of heart issues. If you're overweight or obese, work with a healthcare provider to make a weight loss plan that's right for you
• Don't Smoke and Avoid Second-hand Smoke: Smoking is a big risk for heart disease. If you smoke, get help to quit. Also, stay away from secondhand smoke because it can hurt your heart too.
• Avoid Alcohol: While it's clear that alcohol can be harmful in any amount, if you drink alcohol, do it moderately. That usually means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
• Manage Stress: High stress can add to heart issues. Try stress-reducing activities like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
• Control Underlying Conditions: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other long-term health issues, works closely with your healthcare provider to manage them well. Take your medications as directed and go to regular check-ups.
• Get Regular Check-ups: Make sure to visit your heart hospital for regular check-ups, even if you feel fine. Talk about your family history and any worries you have about your heart health.

Healthy Heart Tips

Keeping your heart healthy is key for your overall well-being. Here are some tips to help:

1. Eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes.
2. If you're overweight or obese, focus on losing weight slowly and steadily. 
3. Do strength training exercises at least twice a week.
4. Drink plenty of water every day for good overall health.
5. Try to get 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can hurt your heart.