Alarming Rise in Heart Attack Rates Among Young Adults in U.S.
- by Rishma Parpia
- Published
- Inflammation
Heart attacks were once considered a condition primarily affecting older adults, but concerning new data reveals a rise in heart attack cases among healthy young adults. In 2019, approximately 0.3 percent of Americans aged 18-44 years old experienced a heart attack; however, that figure increased to 0.5 percent in 2023, translating to one in every 200 individuals.1
Recent data highlights a concerning 66 percent increase in heart attack cases over the past four years, with one in five patients now under the age of 40. This sharp rise alarmingly signals to health care professionals the need to examine various contributing factors.2
Health professionals speculate that a variety of factors could be contributing to high rates of heart attacks in young adults. Obesity rates are rising rapidly among adults under 50, impacting their cardiovascular health more dramatically than older generations. There has been a steep increase in obesity among young adults, with studies showing a significant rise in heart attack deaths and a correlation with receipt of mRNA COVID-19 shots, which can cause heart-related issues like myocarditis and pericarditis. Young men, often overlooked in health care, may be particularly at risk due to conditions like obesity and diabetes.
Emerging research suggests that stress, menstrual cycles, and hormonal changes may uniquely increase heart attack risks for younger women. Bairey Merz, MD, professor of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, highlights that rising stress and anxiety levels can disrupt menstrual cycles, leading to missed periods and lower estrogen levels. This hormonal imbalance is recognized as a contributing factor to heart disease, ultimately heightening the risk of heart attacks in this demographic.3
Recognizing Warning Signs of Heart Attacks
Deepak Bhatt, MD, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai in New York, highlighted that approximately half of those experiencing a heart attack will exhibit symptoms one to two weeks prior, with chest discomfort or pain being the most common warning sign. Often mistaken for muscle strain, this pain can occur with minimal physical exertion. Other symptoms include sudden shortness of breath and unexplained sweating. Key warning signs include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, indigestion, jaw and neck pain, sweating, breathlessness, tightness in the chest, and shoulder pain.
Notably, young women are less likely to report chest pain, leading to potential treatment delays.4 A 2012 study indicated that 42 percent of young women did not experience chest pain during their heart attacks.5
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