Heart attacks among young people are increasing significantly compared to previous years, particularly in the age group of 18-44, according to experts. Even those leading a seemingly healthy lifestyle with regular exercise routines and good fitness levels are not immune to this trend. Health professionals point to a combination of factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and stress as potential contributors to this worrisome phenomenon. Cardiologists emphasize that signs of a heart attack can manifest hours, days, or weeks before the actual event, but they may often be overlooked or mistaken for other health issues. Symptoms like neck and shoulder pain, nausea, indigestion, or discomfort in the stomach may not initially be associated with cardiovascular problems. Additionally, early signs of a heart attack could include shooting pains in the arm or jaw, which may precede more typical symptoms like chest pain. These lesser-known warning signs may appear in young, physically fit individuals weeks before a heart attack occurs. Sweating excessively and experiencing shortness of breath without exertion could indicate an impending heart attack. Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai in New York, cautions that increased sweating, especially upon waking up, may serve as a warning sign. Women, in particular, may not feel the classic symptom of chest pain but instead may have persistent pain in the neck, back, jaw, or shoulder blades before or during a heart attack. Other warning signs to watch out for include fatigue, nausea, and sweating.Symptoms of a heart attack can sometimes be mistaken for acidity or heartburn. If you experience unusual and extreme fatigue without physical exertion, it's important to take note and consult your cardiologist, as stated in the BMJ journal.
Chest discomfort - Feeling a heaviness, pressure, or tightness in the chest, which may be different from pain and could be disregarded as a muscle strain.
Arm pain - Some individuals may feel a sharp pain in their arm that is unbearable. Pain in the jaw can also indicate a potential heart attack.
According to reports from the DailyMail, there has been a significant increase in heart attacks among young people. In 2019, about 0.3 percent of Americans aged 18 to 44 experienced a heart attack, but this figure rose to 0.5 percent in the following year, representing a 66 percent surge in such cases within four years. The data shows that now one in five heart attack patients is under the age of 40. Experts emphasize the importance of addressing risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and managing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Individuals with a history of chronic diseases should be especially cautious with their diet, and avoid alcohol and smoking.
Why do physically fit individuals have heart attacks?
