Alexander
Cardiovascular diseases, predominantly heart attacks, are the most common reason for death in people in the United States. Millions of people are either diagnosed with a heart complications or die from heart-related complications.
However, in alarming news, doctors are noting that the incidence of heart attacks is growing at an alarming rate in young adults. Reports suggest that heart attacks in younger people have increased by 2% since the last year.
But why is that happening? What is contributing to the alarming risks of heart attacks in young adults? We discuss more of the plausible reasons in this article.
Diabetes is a significant contributor
The most significant and most alarming contributor to the rising risks of heart attacks is diabetes. Studies suggest that people diagnosed with diabetes are 4x more likely to die from a heart attack.
With this metabolic disorder becoming more common in the younger generation, it isn’t surprising that the disease manifests into heart complications.
Persistently high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels, which leads to risks of atherosclerosis or fat accumulation in the blood vessels. Diabetic patients are also at risk of high cholesterol levels, another contributing factor to heart attacks.
Being overweight or obese
Obesity is an epidemic that affects the body in the most negative way possible. Besides affecting a person’s quality of life, being overweight or obese also reflects on the physiological functions of the people.
Deposition of excess visceral fat around the abdomen is correlated with heightened risks of cardiovascular complications, which eventually lead to a heart attack.
Obesity also enhances the risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, which are trigger markers of a heart attack.
Smoking and unhealthy habits
Although vaping is considered a “less lethal” alternative to smoking, it is still a damaging habit that affects the cardiovascular function of the body.
Even studies suggest that smoking an entire box of cigarettes enhances the risks of a heart attack by 2x. So, if you are smoking willingly, you are inviting your death (and in the worst way possible).
Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals and compounds like nicotine that can accelerate the deterioration of your heart health over time. That is the last thing that you want to experience.
Substance abuse
Besides smoking and cigarettes, even substance abuse takes a toll on the body. Even something as “recreational” as marijuana can negatively impact when you abuse its effects.
Other hard drugs also increase the heart rate drastically and cause vasoconstriction, leading to high blood pressure and a heart attack in severe cases.
Conclusion
Heart attacks in young adults are a matter of concern. However, the most alarming thing in the process is that most of these heart attacks are preventable. With tangible lifestyle and dietary changes, we can exponentially lower the risks of heart attacks, irrespective of the person’s age. With the numbers glaringly obvious, we need to take control of our lives before it turns for the worse.
