Cardiovascular diseases, i.e., those affecting the heart and its various functions, are more common in the field population over 40 years old that does not maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, the increase in different heart conditions among the younger people, which has an increasing impact, is striking. Although there is no formula to prevent these diseases, several factors can be decisive in preventing cardiovascular problems, which can have a substantial impact on heart health.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the most common heart problems in young people and the factors that can influence when suffering from them.
Table of Contents
Congenital heart disease
One of the leading heart problems in young people in this group of diseases is defined by a set of alterations of the heart as a consequence of defects in the same during the development of the fetus. It is possible that they are detected during pregnancy or that, on the contrary, they go unnoticed and affect the health of those who suffer from it later on. In these cases, the most frequent causes are genetic factors and inadequate nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy or due to infections or toxic substances.
The problem with these heart problems is that they do not have to present symptoms from the beginning, and these will vary depending on the cause. However, some can show signs from birth. This article explains congenital heart disease’s types, causes, and symptoms.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is one of the main risk factors for more severe heart problems. It is a dangerous condition since, in many cases, the patient is not aware that they live with this condition, with the risk that it can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Some risk factors for which a young person may have this cardiovascular problem are age, sex, race, or genetic factors. In addition, being overweight, a diet rich in fat and high in salt, or a sedentary life also contribute negatively. To detect high blood pressure, it is essential to carry out annual check-ups since, as we have said before, it does not usually present symptoms.
Patients, both young and older, who suffer from this heart condition are at increased risk for heart attacks, kidney disease, and other conditions such as glaucoma. If you are interested in knowing more, in this article, we will explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment of high blood pressure .
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmia is a disturbance of the heart rhythm whereby the heartbeat can speed up or slow down. These alterations are another of the most frequent heart problems in young people:
- Tachycardia . The heart rate accelerates, so the heart does not pump blood properly, and oxygen cannot reach the different parts of the body. Some of the symptoms of tachycardia that we can detect are chest pain, fainting, breathing problems, or dizziness.
- Bradycardia . In this case, the heart rate is lower than usual. By not pumping enough blood, the heart cannot distribute enough oxygen that the body needs. You do not have to have symptoms, although some of your symptoms are weakness, fatigue, dizziness, syncope, severe chest pain, or memory problems.
High cholesterol
It is one of the most common health problems today. Cholesterol is one of the risk factors for which a person can develop severe heart disease. It is an accumulation of fat in the arteries that makes it difficult for blood to pass, and it has become another heart problem among the youngest. Again, some of the causes that can lead to this condition is an unhealthy lifestyle. In this article, you can see the average cholesterol values to know better the tests that must be carried out and know how to understand the results.
Cholesterol is another silent problem that, initially, does not have present symptoms. However, it can lead to severe issues such as a heart attack later.
Other cardiovascular problems
Sudden death and heart attack are among the most common heart diseases in people over 40 years of age, but they can also affect young people. They should not be confused, so below, we explain the characteristics that define each one:
- Sudden death . It is a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an electrical problem that causes irregularities in the heartbeat. The leading cause is cardiac arrhythmia, which results in the inefficient electrical activity of the heart and, consequently, activity stops. This sudden stop causes the death of the tissues due to a lack of oxygen, which can cause the end of the person or leave sequelae for life. In this article, you can consult the symptoms and other questions of sudden death.
- Heart attack . It is another heart problem that can affect a young person, although it has a higher incidence in adults. It occurs when one of the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the heart becomes blocked, preventing the passage of blood and, as a consequence, depriving the body of oxygen. It is usually the result of an accumulation of fat in the arteries, and poor lifestyle habits are typically responsible for a young person suffering a heart attack.
This article shows you how to do CPR if a person suffers from a severe heart problem that causes them to lose consciousness.
The importance of going to the doctor
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Although sometimes they cannot be avoided, taking into account the principal risk factors and leading a healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent heart problems as much as possible.
On the other hand, taking into account that some of the most frequent heart problems in young people can be asymptomatic, going to the doctor for an annual check-up is another factor to take into account. Finding any heart disease early can significantly increase your chances of successfully overcoming it, as well as preventing future more severe problems.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Most common heart problems in young people , we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart and circulation .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.