Q1: Can stress and lack of sleep increase the risk of a heart attack? A: Yes, chronic stress and sleep deprivation can contribute to high blood pressure, inflammation, and irregular heart rhythms, all of which increase the risk of heart attacks. Q2: How does smoking and vaping affect heart health? A: Both smoking and vaping can damage blood vessels, increase blood pressure, and raise the risk of blood clots, leading to a higher likelihood of heart attacks. Q3: Are heart attack symptoms different in young adults? A: While classic symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea are common, younger adults may also experience fatigue, dizziness, or pain in the neck, back, or jaw, which can be mistaken for other conditions.

Heart Attacks in Young Adults | Artemis Cardiac Care

Earlier heart attacks were considered predominantly an issue for the elderly. It was believed that anyone below the age of 40 was unlikely to suffer a heart attack. But presently one in every five heart attack patients is under the age of 40. Here's another disturbing fact to underline the issue: Having a heart attack in your twenties or your early 30s is becoming more likely to happen. Between 2000 and 2016, the rate of heart attacks increased by 2% each year in this young age group. Your prognosis after a heart attack is not improved just because you are young. People who experience a heart attack in their twenties or thirties have equally severe risks as older individuals.

Knowing what's causing the increase in heart attacks among young adults can help you take proactive steps to safeguard your health and prevent heart diseases.

What is Heart Attack?

A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart is substantially restricted or blocked. The obstruction is mainly caused by an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other compounds in the heart's (coronary) arteries. Plaques are fatty deposits on the arterial wall. The process of plaque buildup is known as atherosclerosis. A plaque can rupture and create a clot, which can impair the normal blood flow. A shortage of blood flow can damage the corresponding section of the heart muscle.

The abrupt and unexpected cessation of all heart function is known as sudden cardiac death. Consequently. blood flow and breathing immediately stops. The person loses consciousness and passes away in a matter of seconds. Teenagers and young adults may die suddenly from undiagnosed heart problems such as hereditary heart disease. Undiagnosed cardiac conditions can cause sudden death in young sportsmen or others who do strenuous workouts. However, sudden cardiac death may happen even when the person is not doing any activity.

What is the Incidence Rate of Heart Attack in Young Adults?

The majority of unexpected cardiac deaths occur in older persons, especially those who have pre-existing heart disease. However, among young athletes, abrupt cardiac arrest is the most common cause of mortality. Although estimates vary, some sources indicate that between one in 50,000 and one in 100,000 young athletes die from sudden cardiac death annually.

What are the Causes of Sudden Heart Attack in Young Adults?

Sudden cardiac death is often triggered by alterations in the electrical signalling of the heart. The bottom heart chambers contract rapidly in an uncoordinated manner when the heartbeat is extremely rapid. The body is unable to get enough blood from the heart. This condition is called ventricular fibrillation which is a potentially fatal form of irregular heartbeat. The risk of sudden cardiac death can be raised by any activity that puts stress on the heart or harms its tissue. Young persons might experience sudden cardiac death as a result of the following conditions:

Thickened heart muscle, also called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Long QT syndrome
Other heart rhythm conditions such as Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Forceful hit to the chest
Congenital heart defect

What to Do If You Suspect That A Person is At Risk of a Heart Attack?

Sudden cardiac death can happen without warning signs. Or warning signs may remain unnoticed. Following are the warning signs that may indicate that a person needs a heart examination or immediate cardiac care for the heart attack:

Fainting or syncope: A cardiac condition may be the cause of unexplained fainting that happens during exercise or activity.
Shortness of breath or chest pain: These symptoms can indicate a cardiac condition. However, diseases like asthma may also be the reason. For this reason, it is crucial to have a thorough health examination.
Family history of sudden cardiac death: A person's likelihood of experiencing the same kind of heart incident is increased with positive family history. Consult a doctor about screening possibilities if there is a family history of unexplained deaths.

How to Prevent Sudden Heart Attack in Young Adults?

Depending on the underlying disease, medications or surgical procedures may be prescribed to reduce the likelihood of sudden death.

If you are at high risk of sudden cardiac death, a medical practitioner may advise you not to participate in competitive sports.
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is one type of device that can be placed in the chest. The device constantly tracks the heart's rhythm. If a life-threatening heart rhythm change occurs, the ICD administers electrical shocks to reset the heart.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Manage your stress levels
Avoid eating fat rich and processed food

Who Should Get Tested for Heart Attack Risk Factors?

According to one Italian study, requiring young people to have electrocardiograms (ECGs) reduces the risk of sudden cardiac mortality.

A possible approach is to perform routine ECGs on players before they participate in competitive sports to identify risks timely and prevent sudden cardiac death. But it's unclear whether routine ECGs for sportsmen could prevent sudden cardiac death. However, such testing may aid in identifying individuals who are at a higher risk.

Screening is usually suggested if you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors for sudden cardiac death.

Conclusion

There has been a concerning rise in the number of heart attacks among young individuals in recent years. Over the past five years, heart disease has become more common in India, and it is a major cause of death globally. Because of our fast-paced lifestyle and changing habits, there has been an increase in cases of cardiac arrest and related problems. Inactivity, stress, sleeplessness, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are some of the factors that contribute to this health risk.

Because you may alter your risk factors by changing your lifestyle and, if necessary, taking medicine to safeguard your health, many heart attacks can be prevented.

The Artemis Cardiac Care offers all the help you need to prevent a heart attack. Book your consultation now!