Just a few decades back, people under 40 years of age dying of heart attack was quite rare. However, such cases are now occurring with greater frequency. Out of every five cases of heart attack, one involves an individual less than 40 years of age.
What is even more worrying is that people in their 20s and early 30s are also dying from heart attack. It is a serious issue, as youngsters are the future of our society. It makes us wonder why youngsters are dying from heart disease. And what can be done to overcome such challenges? For answers, here are some important things we need to understand.
Stressful lifestyle - The level of stress youngsters face in today's fast-paced world is simply unparalleled. Studies have shown that high cortisol levels arising from long-term stress can increase the risk of blood sugar, triglycerides, blood cholesterol and hypertension. All these eventually increase the risk of heart disease.
Junk food - A look at the favorite food items of youngsters is itself evidence to the increased risk of heart disease. High calorie, high carb and high fat foods such as pizza, burger, fried chicken, French fries, etc. can be a recipe for disaster. Of course, not everyone may be impacted. But for the ones who are, heart disease at young age can be a worrisome development.
Smoking, alcohol - Smoking and alcohol have become a part of modern lifestyle. It's so widespread that ones who resist may face social isolation. Both smoking and alcohol have shown to increase the risk of heart disease and various other health issues. And these are often combined with oily, greasy snacks and food, which further increases risk of heart disease.
Too much or no exercise - There are highly motivated souls that undertake intense exercise every week. Sometimes, it can be more than what the body is designed for. Over exercising can lead to health issues including heart related problems. At the other end of the spectrum are folks who don't exercise at all. Such people also face increased risk of heart disease.
Overweight and obesity - Quite a few youngsters are overweight or obese these days. Even kids are now increasingly facing the problems of being overweight or obese. These factors can increase the risk of heart disease, as the heart has to work harder to support the additional weight.
No health checkups - Young people hardly ever go for health checkups. They may not be aware of what's happening inside their body until it's too late.
Awareness is the key to preventing heart disease among young people. This can be done at school, college level as well as by organizations that hire youngsters. Without awareness, youngsters will continue with their dangerous lifestyle without knowing the consequences. It is also important that youngsters take health checkups at least once every year. This is applicable even for folks who feel 100% healthy. Early assessment of risks can help prevent serious health issues such as heart disease.
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