Why Heart Disease Is Becoming More Common in Young Adults

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is often seen as a condition that affects older adults. But it is becoming more common in younger adults, too.

Heart disease is a term for several heart conditions. These include heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia. These conditions are more common as people age, but Dr. James Keeton, a cardiologist with University Health Cardiovascular Center, explains that they can also affect young adults.

Why More Young Adults are at Risk for Heart Disease

American Heart Association research shows that heart disease-related hospital stays for people younger than 40 have risen by 2% each year since 2018. One reason is that more young adults now have risk factors for heart disease.

Dr. Keeton added, “The increase in risk factors is largely driven by societal changes in lifestyle habits. People are sitting more, moving less and eating less healthy foods.”

Common Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Young Adults

Many factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Diet high in saturated fats, sodium and added sugars
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking, including e-cigarette use
• Use of illicit substances such as opioids and cocaine

Among those risk factors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking as key risk factors. Nearly 50% of adults in the United States have at least one of those three risk factors.

“Risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol are ‘silent killers,’” said Dr. Keeton. “They usually do not cause symptoms until they result in damage to organs, such as the heart or kidneys.”

Unique Risk Factors for Younger Women

An AHA report about heart disease and stroke in women released earlier this year says 6 in 10 women in the United States will have some type of heart disease by 2050.

While the traditional risk factors above increase the risk in both men and women, some risk factors are specific to women, including:

• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gestational diabetes
• Gestational hypertension
• Polycystic ovary syndrome, previously called polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Preeclampsia
• Premature menopause (before age 40)

Though autoimmune diseases aren’t limited to women, they disproportionately affect women. Nine out of 10 cases of lupus, for example, are diagnosed in women.

Women are also at risk of a specific heart problem because of pregnancy. Postpartum cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure, can develop in women during the final month of pregnancy and up to several months after delivery.

Learn more about the University Health Women’s Heart Center, South Texas’ first center dedicated to diagnosing and treating women with heart disease.

Symptoms of Heart Problems in Young Adults

Because heart disease encompasses multiple conditions, symptoms vary depending on the specific heart problem. There are still signs you can watch for, though.

Symptoms that could be related to heart problems include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Cough
• Dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
• Heartburn-like sensation
• Heart palpitations
• Jaw pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in the upper back, neck, shoulders, or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or the veins in the neck

“If you’re experiencing these symptoms, especially in combination with each other, seek immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Keeton. “While they can be related to less serious conditions, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.”

The Best Treatment for Heart Disease

The best treatment for heart disease is prevention. Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor.

An annual wellness visit can help adults identify and manage risk factors. Routine blood tests at these visits can also find silent risk factors Dr. Keeton mentioned earlier.

You can also talk with your provider about whether you should have any additional tests based on your lifestyle and overall health.

8 Ways for Young Adults to Protect Their Health

Scheduling your annual wellness visit is just one way you can protect your heart health. Here are eight other recommendations from the AHA’s Life’s Essential 8:

1. Eat better. Fill your plate with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and a small amount of healthy fat, such as what’s found in olive oil or fatty fish.

   The Mediterranean diet can be a helpful guide for healthy eating.

2. Be more active. Health experts recommend that most adults get at least 150 minutes each week of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking or swimming, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, such as running or playing basketball.

3. Quit tobacco. If you smoke or vape, talk with your doctor about ways to quit. While e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, they aren’t any healthier for you. Research shows that chemicals in e-cigarettes increase the risk of heart disease.

   Learn more about the smoking cessation program at University Health.

4. Get healthy sleep. Prioritize getting enough quality sleep each night. Most young adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep for optimal health.

   When you don’t get enough sleep, your blood pressure can go up, increasing your risk of heart disease.

5. Manage weight. Talk with a medical provider about what a healthy weight looks like for you. Small, realistic changes to your eating, activity and daily habits can support your heart health over time.

6. Control cholesterol. Aim for low total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and a higher HDL cholesterol level. HDL cholesterol helps protect your heart. If lifestyle changes are not enough, your provider may recommend medication to help manage cholesterol.

7. Manage blood sugar. Keep an eye on your blood sugar, too. Aim for a fasting blood glucose level below 100 or an A1C below 5.7%. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

8. Manage blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and lead to heart or vascular problems. Aim for a blood pressure of 120/80 or lower.

University Health Cardiovascular Center

At University Health, we provide comprehensive cardiovascular care for people of all ages and stages of life. That includes diagnosis, treatment and management of the different types of heart disease at the University Health Cardiovascular Center in San Antonio.

You can rely on our team of heart specialists, who have been recognized for excellence in cardiovascular care. Our designation as a HeartCARE Center by the American College of Cardiology means we meet rigorous standards for patient-centered cardiovascular care.