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Why Young and Healthy People Are Experiencing Heart Failure?

Why Young and Healthy People Are Experiencing Heart Failure?

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on Jun 19 2023 12:44 AM
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Highlights:
  • There is a connection between obesity, diabetes, and increased risk of heart disease in young adults, emphasizing the importance of weight management and blood sugar control
  • Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity can impact heart health negatively. It is important to incorporate regular exercise into daily routines
  • A balanced diet, regular physical activity, blood pressure monitoring, and healthy habits at the gym can help to lower heart disease risk
Incidences of heart attacks in otherwise healthy young people have been extensively reported and notably the deceased had no prior history of heart disease. There have been other such cases that have gone unreported. Cardiovascular diseases are becoming more common in younger people and those who appear to be healthy and fit. Let us investigate the factors that cause the heart of otherwise healthy people to fail fatally.

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Obesity Increases the Risk of Heart Disease in Young Adults

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) states in their research titled "Heart Disease: It Can Happen at Any Age" that obesity puts persons between the ages of 35 and 64 at a higher risk of acquiring heart disease (1 Trusted Source
Heart Disease Facts

Go to source
). Weight is a silent cardiac risk that significantly contributes to heart disease. Obesity is most commonly associated with a large waist circumference and abdominal obesity.

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Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Heart Disease.

A new study from ICMR-INDIAB discovered that the diabetes epidemic is rapidly spreading. According to the conclusions of the study, 100 million Indians are already diabetic, and more than 135 million are prediabetic (2 Trusted Source
Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in India

Go to source
). When the global prevalence of metabolic disease is examined, this figure becomes much more worrying. High blood sugar damages blood vessels and impairs the normal functioning of nerve muscles that assist the heart.

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More Sitting Time is Unhealthy for the Heart

Work-from-home practices and long work hours have made physical activity less vital in recent years. People are more preoccupied with fulfilling targets than with providing the physical care they require. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued physical activity guidelines (3 Trusted Source
Physical activity

Go to source
). Several research and health experts advise people to engage in at least 150 minutes of intensive physical activity per week.

Inappropriate Gym Habits Stresses the Heart

Workouts are unquestionably the key to a healthy body, and gyms pave the way. However, poor gym habits such as failing to warm up before a training session and failing to cool down afterwards can be fatal. There have been some fatal situations in the past where an individual's gym habits were identified as the primary cause of a heart attack. Always consult with your trainer and warm up for 30 minutes before your session.

Hypertension Can Endanger the Heart

Elevated blood pressure is always a greater risk to the heart (4 Trusted Source
High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease

Go to source
). Cases of blood pressure, like heart disease, are increasing among young people, and sadly, many of them are ignorant of it because the youthful body has enormous strength to withstand the initial indicators. Untreated high blood pressure, on the other hand, can endanger the heart regardless of age. It is critical to have your blood pressure checked.

How To Lower the Heart Disease Risk?​

Given the risk factors that affect the health of the human heart, the only method to save the heart is to change these factors. Consuming less sodium, getting enough sleep, eating seasonal vegetables and fruits, and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes can help maintain your heart healthy. It can also be kept healthy and safe by engaging in rigorous physical activity for at least 150 minutes every week.

References:
  1. Heart Disease Facts - (https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm)
  2. Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in India - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34708726/)
  3. Physical activity - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity)
  4. High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31865786/)
Source-Medindia


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What lifestyle factor do you think plays the biggest role in increasing the risk of heart disease among young, healthy individuals?

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