Due to our sedentary lifestyle and swamped schedule, we tend to ignore our health and often indulge in unhealthy habits and ways of living. The consequences of being ignorant of our well-being are life-threatening. The most shocking and infamous observation in the last few years is the increase in the rate of heart attacks in the younger generation. Earlier, when Myocardial Infarction was observed only among the older section of society, the post-covid period has seen a sudden rise in heart attack cases in young individuals. Heart attacks can happen to anyone, and risks are equally detrimental to any age group.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, also known as Myocardial Infarction (MI), occurs when there is a blockage in the artery leading to a lack of blood flow. This blockage is often caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, leading to reduced blood flow.
Due to atherosclerosis, the artery is unable to function correctly; it prevents the flow of blood and reduces or exhibits the supply of oxygen to the circulatory organ, leading to the death of tissue in the heart. Heart attack causes immediate death if not treated instantly. Studies showed that every 1 in 5 people who suffered from a heart attack are 40 years old or younger.
Another study held at the American College of Cardiology stated in 2019 that the rate of heart attacks in people of the age of 40 or below has increased every year by 2% in the last decade. It is an alarming call for everyone to be aware of the situation, symptoms, causes, and how they can be prevented. Firstly, let’s understand the causes and reasons that lead to the dangerous path of possible fatality.
Causes of heart attack:
Genetics and Hereditary
Genetics can play a major role in increased risk of heart attack. An offspring could have inherited faulty genes and developed coronary artery disease. A genetic mutation can cause the offspring to have abnormal cardiac conditions. If a heart attack is in your family history, you are at a high risk of having a heart attack. This knowledge should make you more cautious and attentive to your health, but do not worry; you can minimize the risk and prevent it by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes significantly increases the risk of having a heart attack. High glucose levels in the blood damage our blood vessels and cause atherosclerosis. Young people who have diabetes are more prone to develop heart disease when compared to older individuals who don’t have diabetes. They are also at a high risk of heart failure.
High Blood Pressure
Due to our hectic lifestyles and constant pressure and competition at school and work, individuals experience a lot of stress and hypertension. High blood pressure causes the heart muscles to thicken. Hypertension also damages and tears the heart muscles, again leading to atherosclerosis. The heart becomes weak and is eventually unable to pump enough blood, which also leads to heart failure.
Obesity
Everything is linked to each other. Obese people suffer from major diseases that lead to unhealthy heart conditions. Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on the heart; it negatively affects its shape and function and eventually damages it. Usually, obese people suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol and often from diabetes as well, leading to a heart attack.
High Cholesterol
Young people diagnosed with high cholesterol are at a high risk of a heart attack. Cholesterol develops plaque in the artery, causing blockage and myocardial infarction.
Unhealthy diet
The major consumers of processed and unhealthy food are the younger generation, making them victims of diseases like obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc., increasing their risk of having a heart attack.
Smoking cigarettes and tobacco consumption
Smoking is highly harmful and lethal to health as it causes damage to the heart and blood vessels. It deposits plaques in arteries, leading to heart attack. It also causes hypertension, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Studies say that a smoker is two times more prone to having a heart attack than a nonsmoker. Tobacco consists of nicotine, which is an addictive drug that puts pressure on the heart to function harder; carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that inhibits the dissolution of oxygen in the blood and poisons our respiratory system; and tar, which damages our lungs immensely. Smoking and tobacco increase the chances of cancer in all parts of the body.
Alcoholism and narcotic abuse
Alcoholism induces hypertension and increases the risk of heart attack; it also causes cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart changes its original shape due to long-term consumption of alcohol, which could lead to heart failure and various cardiac abnormalities. Alcohol also stretches and damages the walls of the heart. It is very dangerous to the heart.
Narcotic abuse affects the cardiovascular system adversely. Drug use can lead to heart attack, heart failure, collapsed veins, valve damage, thickening of the cardiac walls, increase in heart rate, heart infections, etc.
A survey conducted among young adult Americans stated that 47% of those who are 45 years and below don’t think they are at risk of heart attack. Alas, one mustn’t ignore the warning signs one’s body is giving them; these signs, if understood, could save you by pre-diagnosis of the onset of a heart attack. It’s crucial to be vigilant and prepared, as recognizing these signs could be lifesaving. Look out for these signs and immediately see a doctor without hesitating or thinking twice.
Signs of an upcoming heart attack:
Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
If you feel some pain, discomfort, tightness, or squeezing in your chest, do not ignore it; it could be possible that you are going to have a heart attack.
Pain or discomfort in other body parts
Pain, squeezing, or discomfort in body parts like the left or both the arms, neck, shoulder, jaw, teeth, back, or stomach are signs that you might be having a heart attack soon.
Shortness of breath
Not being able to breathe properly and even having fatigue and feeling tired could be another symptom of myocardial infarction. This symptom is more common in women.
Cold sweating
Abnormal cold sweat could be a warning sign that you will experience an attack.
Feeling nauseous and dizzy
If you feel like vomiting, nausea, or a feeling of light-headedness, it could be a possible sign of a heart attack.
Abnormal heartbeat
Abnormal or pounding heartbeat and irregular palpitations are alarming signs of a heart attack.
Swelling in lower leg and abdomen
Edema in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen is a sign you shouldn’t ignore, as it could mean that you have a heart abnormality.
If you experience these signs, do not hesitate to visit a doctor as soon as possible. These signs are indicators of a possible heart attack.
As we discussed, most of the causes of heart attacks were due to living an unhealthy lifestyle. We can only minimize the risk of heart attack by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can follow the following steps to stay healthy and heart attack-free.
Guide to maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
Eat healthy
Your diet is the most crucial part of maintaining your health. Hence, it is important to consume a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid processed and fast food as far as possible. Provide a good amount of nutrition to your body and stay healthy. Do not regularly consume food products high in sugar and cholesterol. By avoiding such food items, you can cut down your chances of having diabetes or high cholesterol, the two most important factors leading to heart attack.
Exercise and meditate regularly.
Exercising, playing sports, or doing any physical activity will help you stay fit and control your weight, cholesterol, and sugar levels. Meditation will help you control your stress level and reduce your chances of having hypertension.
Stop smoking and substance abuse.
Any amount of smoking or substance abuse can cause harm to your body. You must quit both habits if you have any. Quit these lethal, addictive habits and live a healthy life. Smoking and substance abuse significantly increase the risk of having a heart attack and other dangerous diseases like cancer and organ failure.
Regulate your weight
Obesity is the cause of many diseases, including heart attack; focus on maintaining a healthy weight, which comes under normal weight range criteria according to your BMI.
Do checkups, analyze your family history for chances of heart attack, and take precautions
Do regular checkups and go through your family history. If you have a heart attack-prone family history, take medical advice from a professional and plan your lifestyle accordingly.
Get a healthy amount of sleep.
People who sleep less than 5 hours are prone to heart disease, depression, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and stress. Hence, it is important to get a healthy amount of sleep.
Conclusion
It is sad that the risk of having a heart attack has shockingly increased among the younger generation. The huge cause of this deadly medical emergency is an unhealthy lifestyle that the majority of our youth are living. Many of the younger generation consume unhealthy food rich in sugar and cholesterol. Many are also involved in substance abuse and alcoholism. All these factors lead to an increased rate of heart attacks, even among youngsters. Therefore, it is a must that we take important measures to maintain a healthy and stress-free lifestyle.
