Heart Disease Can Affect Anyone at Any Age
Heart disease does not only affect older people. Younger folks are experiencing it more and more frequently. This is partially due to the fact that heart disease-causing diseases are developing in younger people.
American Heart Month in February is a great opportunity to learn more about your risk for developing heart disease and the actions you can take right away to protect your heart.
Any age can be affected by heart disease and the causes that cause it.
Younger adults (ages 35-64) with high rates of obesity and hypertension are at an earlier stage of life risk for heart disease.
You May Be in Danger
Many of the ailments and actions that increase the chance of developing heart disease manifest in people when they are younger:
- Elevated blood pressure: Millions of Americans, especially many in their 40s and 50s, suffer from excessive blood pressure. In nearly half of the cases, people with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. One of the significant risk factors for heart disease and other hazardous illnesses, like stroke, is uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Elevated cholesterol: Heart disease risk can rise with high cholesterol. Unhealthy cholesterol levels can be caused by diabetes, obesity, smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and not getting enough exercise.
- Smoking: More than 35 million individuals in the United States currently smoke, and thousands of teenagers begin smoking every day. 3,4 Smoking harms blood arteries and raises the risk of heart disease.
The following situations and actions also increase your risk of developing heart disease:
- Obesity: The heart is strained by the additional weight. Over one-third of Americans—including nearly one in six kids and teenagers between the ages of 2 and 19—are obese.
- Diabetes: In the blood with diabetes, sugar builds up. This may harm the cardiac muscle’s controllable blood vessels and neurons. In the US, more than a tenth of the population has diabetes.
- Inactivity in the body: Physical activity maintains the health of the heart and blood vessels. Only 1 in 4 persons complete the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
- Unhealthy dietary habits: Most Americans eat too much sodium (salt), including kids, which raises blood pressure. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be substituted for diets high in salt to help reduce blood pressure. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans does not consume enough fruits and vegetables daily. The risk of developing heart disease is increased by a diet heavy in trans fat, saturated fat, and added sugar.
Four Ways to Manage Your Heart Health
When it comes to your heart, you’re the driver. At every age, learn how to maintain heart health.
- Avoid smoking: The number one avoidable cause of death in the US is smoking. Stop smoking if you don’t already. If you smoke, figure out how to stop.
- Control the condition: Manage issues like high blood pressure and high cholesterol by working with your medical team. Taking any recommended medications is part of this. Learn more about lowering cholesterol and preventing high blood pressure.
- Change your diet to promote heart health: Consume foods that are low in sodium, added sugar, trans fat, and saturated fat. At least half of your plate should be made up of fruits and vegetables; choose low-sodium dishes wherever possible. Find out more about lowering salt intake.
- Stay active: Get active every week for at least 150 minutes. 11 For a total of 30 minutes of exercise every day, you can even divide the workout into 10-minute halves. Find out more about how to get enough exercise.
