Although having a heart attack at a young age can be a frightening experience, what is more worrisome is that patients who have suffered a heart attack in their 20s or 30s face the same future risks as older patients.
That is, once they have had a first heart attack, are just as likely to die from a second major cardiac event or stroke, regardless of their age. Therefore, it is key to take preventative measures.
Diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors
Diabetes is one of the main causes behind heart disease all over the world. People living with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to die from heart disease than the rest of the population.
In addition, patients with diabetes are more likely to develop other chronic conditions that increase the risk of heart attack, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, regular medical tests and changing habits can be of great help.
High blood pressure is becoming more common among young people
High blood pressure makes the heart muscles thicker, which can damage blood vessels in the area and increase the risk of heart attack. Data indicates that hypertension is increasing rapidly in young adults.
This factor also increases the risk of having a stroke or kidney failure. That is why high blood pressure measurements are relevant to confirm that we are within normal parameters.
Obesity and overweight are also risk factors
Excess weight can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health, as it increases the energy demand of the heart. In addition, obesity often is associated with other medical conditions that are detrimentalsuch as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Smoking and vaping
Cigarette smoking is one of the main risk factors contributing to heart attacks in young adults.
The number of cigarettes smoked is directly related to the risk of having a heart attack. Smoking a pack a day increases the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers.
And while vaping may seem like a less harmful alternative, it’s not without its risks. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other toxic compounds They can speed up your heart rate and raise your blood pressure.
In fact, a recent study found that vaping increases the chance of having a heart attack by 34%. If you want to protect your heart and overall health, it’s best to avoid both smoking and vaping.
Prevention is the key to avoiding a heart attack. Although we do not know if the case of Julián Figueroa would have been preventable, it is worth taking certain precautions if you are under 40 years of age.