Cardiovascular health is no longer just a concern of the elderly. Observational findings and countless research studies have proved that over 4% – 10% of all cases of early-onset myocardial infarction
(MI) occur in patients younger than 45 years. This is common specifically in middle- and high-income groups who have a lifestyle prone to affecting cardiovascular health, starting at a young age. Data now show that deaths due to heart attack-related complications in patients between 15 and 44 years are on the rise, especially over the past two decades.
We speak to Dr Praveen Kulkarni, Director of Intervention Cardiology at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, to understand how to prevent serious cardiac episodes among young adults, who are now prone to heart attacks.
Psychological issues and hypertension:
Sharper turnaround times, higher demands and constant upgrades have made the modern corporate environments into dens of stress and anxiety for the workforce. Such highly demanding work patterns can directly impact cardiovascular health.
Beyond the workplace, mental health also plays a key role in affecting heart health. The onset of depression and anxiety is commonly associated with a 30%–50% increase in the risk of heart attack in youngsters. This indicates that the millennials and Gen-Z, battling ‘constant worries’, can experience a direct biological impact on their mental state.
Screens, sitting and weight gain: a risky chain
Another major reason for youngsters being affected with heart problems is the exponential increase in screen time and a relatively short or absent active lifestyle. Spending 8-10 hours on computers or mobile phones has reinforced sedentary routines and unhealthy sleep patterns, which affect cardiovascular risk. The sedentary lifestyle also results in obesity and poor body mass index (height-to-weight ratio, leading to a higher risk of blood pressure and heart problems.
Especially students who have replaced books, pens and papers with screens, it is observed that those spending more than 400 minutes a day (6.5 hours) a day in front of computers or mobiles have a higher risk of developing hypertension early in life.
Early onset of Metabolic risks
Several studies point out that youngsters between the age of 25 and 40 years, including those who are aware of the cardiovascular risks of their lifestyle, have higher metabolic risks of developing heart problems due to higher prevalence of high BMI, chronic hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (abnormal blood fats/cholesterol), and diabetes.
This is extremely important because early-onset MI is closely linked to preventable risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, sedentary behaviour and poor diet. Being preventable, a simple change in habit can have transformative health benefits. We see that even routine 30-minute physical activity can substantially improve heart health.
The crisis of heart problems amongst youngsters is real, and is fuelled by the mix of persistent stress, long hours of screen-linked sitting, weight gain and early metabolic disturbances, commonly happening before symptoms appear. But at the same time, many of these causes are entirely preventable. Healthier diets and regular physical activity alongside acknowledging and addressing the mental health issues related to chronic stress can offer substantial cardiovascular protection for this generation.
