It is not common for there to be cases of heart disease in young people, however, it is a phenomenon that has been increasing in recent years due to various factors. whatWhy do young people have heart attacks?? We tell you below.
The most common is that when heart attacks occur in young people, they usually end in fatal outcomes, that is, they cannot be recovered. This is known as sudden death.
Why do young people have heart attacks? / Photo: iStock
What is the cause of sudden death?
Mayo Clinic points out that sudden cardiac death is due to a failure in the transmission of electrical signals within the heart, in addition to presenting rapid heartbeats that cause the lower ventricles to quiver instead of pumping blood, this is also known as ventricular fibrillation .
The causes of heart attacks in young people are related to the following causes:
- Heart rhythm disorders: Also known as QT syndrome, it is one of the causes most associated with sudden deaths in young people because it causes the heart to beat rapidly and chaotically. It can cause fainting or death without an apparent cause.
- Chest contusion: When there is a very strong blow to the chest, it is known as concussion of the heart. Although this shock does not damage the heart muscle, it does alter the electrical signaling of the heart, which can result in ventricular fibrillation and subsequent death.
- Congenital heart defects: There are cases of people being born with heart conditions that can decrease blood flow, causing sudden death.
- Thickening of the heart muscle: This condition is the most common cause of Why do young people have heart attacks?because what it does is that, by thickening the heart muscle too much, it makes it difficult to pump blood and causes accelerated heartbeats.
Why do young people have heart attacks?
What are the symptoms of sudden death?
According to the Spanish Heart Foundation, people who suffer sudden death present complete loss of consciousness without responding to any kind of stimulus.
In addition, they can keep their eyes and mouth open or closed to stop breathing immediately. When there is no immediate and adequate care, the skin color quickly turns purplish-blue.
Despite the symptoms, the Mayo Clinic cautions that there are some signs that could help identify a person who is prone to sudden death. These signs are:
Fainting without apparent cause: If you faint when you exercise or do physical activity, this could be an indicator of an abnormality in the heart.
- Chest pain or shortness of breath: This sign is not decisive because it could also be due to asthma, so it is advisable to do a thorough review of the person’s general health status.
- History of sudden cardiac death in relatives: If there is a family history of sudden cardiac death, the chances of suffering it increase considerably.
Why do young people have heart attacks?/ Photo: iStock
What is the probability of sudden death?
Worldwide, around 3 million people die from sudden death per year, so there are 1 or 2 cases per 1,000 inhabitants.
In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, heart attacks in young athletes are the leading cause of death. Approximately 1 in 50,000-80,000 young people die each year from sudden cardiac death.
How do you know if you are going to have a heart attack?
The Mayo Clinic advises that attention should be paid to symptoms such as:
- Chest pain (may also feel like pressure)
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Pain or discomfort that spreads to other parts of the body such as the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or upper abdomen.
Now that you know more about why young people have heart attacks and what their symptoms are, the important thing to remember is that in the event of any abnormality or discomfort, see your doctor for a reliable diagnosis. Remember not to self-medicate or ignore the signs that can make the difference between life and death.
If you want to know more about the symptoms that accompany a heart attack in order to prevent it or treat it immediately, we share this video with you: