Heart Problems Even Young People Should Be Aware Of

Although the majority of people with heart disease are senior adults, heart disease can occur in younger people, and its incidence is increasing. How is your heart health? It’s crucial to find out. 

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. but impacts some communities disproportionately. At Comprehensive Primary Care, our board-certified internists, family medicine physicians, and medical team members provide preventive screenings and physical exams to identify any heart abnormalities and risk of heart disease. We refer you for cardiology care if we discover an abnormal finding that needs advanced treatment. 

However, most often, we find factors that can lead to heart disease if left untreated, such as carrying excess weight, smoking, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. We design a treatment plan to help you manage existing health issues to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Heart issues in people under 40 

Heart disease isn’t that common in young people, but it can happen, and when it does, it’s tragic when fatal. 

Heart attacks

In general, death from heart disease has decreased since the 1970s because of advances in treatment, but people are experiencing cardiac events at earlier ages.

Heart attacks have increased in recent years in men and women under the age of 40. Those who experience a heart attack are at increased risk of a stroke or future heart attacks. Unfortunately, younger adults may also be at risk of dying due to these cardiac events.

Heart disease

Obesity is an epidemic in America; more than two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Excess weight is a significant factor in high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Because obesity is an issue in younger as well as older Americans, premature heart disease is becoming more likely. Smoking can also increase your risk for cardiac complications.

Sudden cardiac death

You’ve likely heard stories in the news about young athletes collapsing on the field. Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of mortality in young athletes. Sudden cardiac death can occur when electrical signals in the heart cause it to beat too fast without pumping blood. 

Young athletes who die from sudden cardiac death usually have an undiagnosed genetic heart disease. The athlete may have an abnormally thick heart muscle, a syndrome causing irregular heartbeats, other undiagnosed congenital heart abnormality, or have experienced a very heavy blow to the chest. 

Screenings for heart issues in younger adults

If you or your child are at risk of premature heart-related conditions because you’re an athlete, are obese, or if you have a genetic condition that predisposes you to heart issues, you want to be safe. We provide preventive screenings that identify warning signs of cardiac issues in the earliest stages before symptoms are present. 

At your appointment, we review your medical history and that of your family and perform a physical exam. Depending on the findings, we may recommend cardiac studies such as the following: 

• Blood tests
• Cardiac stress test
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Echocardiogram 

We recommend visiting a cardiologist, who may ask you to wear a special portable device that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity for 48 hours to determine whether you have irregular heartbeats or other cardiac issues. 

We’re your first-line treatment resource for preventive health screenings. Call Comprehensive Primary Care today or book an appointment through our online portal for a preventive heart screening, which provides peace of mind.