Home / Health / Young Hearts Under Siege: First Heart Attacks Rise
Young Hearts Under Siege: First Heart Attacks Rise
28 Feb
Summary
- Severe first heart attacks in adults 18-54 rose 57% between 2011-2022.
- Non-traditional factors like stress and sleep are key predictors of death.
- Women experience worse outcomes and fewer procedures than men.
Deaths from severe first heart attacks among adults aged 18 to 54 have seen a concerning 57 percent increase between 2011 and 2022. This trend highlights a growing risk for younger populations, previously considered less vulnerable. The study found that non-traditional risk factors, including low income, chronic kidney disease, and drug use, were more predictive of death than traditional ones like smoking or high blood pressure.
Women consistently experienced poorer outcomes, with higher in-hospital mortality rates and receiving fewer cardiac procedures compared to men, despite similar complication rates. Researchers emphasize the need for earlier risk identification and a broader consideration of non-traditional factors in treating heart attacks in young adults.
This rise is linked to increasing rates of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and drug use among younger demographics. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes now affect nearly one in three American adolescents, while chronic kidney disease incidence has also risen significantly in young adults worldwide.
