Younger generation not exempt from increased heart disease risk

Heart attack is becoming increasingly common among the younger generation, notes Dr Nabil Idris, a resident consultant cardiologist in private practice.

Nabil said: “Heart attacks are on the rise among young adults, and it’s becoming alarmingly apparent that heart disease is not only a concern for the elderly. Here’s a troubling fact to highlight the problem: Having a heart attack in your 20s or early 30s is more common and 1-in-5 heart attack patients are younger than 40 years of age.” [Available at https://www.cminj.com/blog/whats-behind-the-rise-in-heart-attacks-among-young-people#:~:text=Now%201%20in%205%20heart,in%20this%20young%20age%20group. Accessed on 25 August 2022]

Nabil highlighted a study on coronary artery disease (CAD) among Malaysian youths, which found that almost 70 percent of participants aged 15–24 have at least one cardiovascular risk factor. [BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022;22:70] “Thus, the common misconception that ‘heart attacks only happen when you’re old’ no longer applies, and young adults need to take immediate action.” Nabil lists some common misconceptions the younger people have about heart disease risk.While some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled, such as age or family history, steps can be taken to lower the risk by changing the factors that can be controlled. Nabil added: “Small changes in lifestyle, such as exercising and choosing healthy food options, can make a huge difference in heart health.”

1. “I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, while I’m young”
   People love a good late-night mamak session, but perhaps one should think twice before ordering that maggi goreng. An unhealthy diet high in fat will build up plaque in arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.  Try swapping the usual teh tarik for a teh c kosong instead.
2.  “I’m still young, I can smoke and drink as much as I like”
   Smoking is a strong risk factor for congestive heart failure because it causes atherosclerosis and raises blood pressure. Alcohol consumed in excess over several years can produce an alcoholic cardiomyopathy, where alcohol acts as a toxin to weaken the heart muscle directly. 
3. “Young people can handle stress well, so it’s no big deal”
   Whether physical or emotional, constant stress increases the likelihood of developing heart and circulatory disease. Studies have found that when stressed, amygdala (an area of the brain that deals with stress) signals to the bone marrow to produce extra white blood cells. This causes the arteries to become inflamed, which can lead to heart attacks, angina and strokes.  Stress is unavoidable in daily life, but a conscious effort must be made to set aside time to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate to combat the effects of stress.
4.  “High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol only happen to older people”
   These are traditional risk factors for heart disease, but young adults might not even be aware if they have these ailments unless they go for regular health check-ups.