Heart attack in young people

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A new study warns of an increase in the proportion of adults under age 40 suffering from heart attacks.

According to a study by the American College of Cardiology, the incidence of heart attacks in young people aged 20 to 30 has increased to 16,000 people in the last 16 years.

The infection rate among adults under the age of forty has increased by 2% per year over the past ten years.

"It was rare to see a 40-year-old with a heart attack, but now there are people in their twenties or thirties," said lead author Dr. Ron Blankenstein.

The study was the first to compare adults with heart attacks (aged 40 to 50) and those with heart attacks (under 40), according to the authors of the study.

The data showed that people over 40 and under 40 "risk dying from a heart attack," according to the press release.

The researchers concluded that their findings demonstrated the need to pay attention to drug use among people under 40 with heart attacks and that marijuana and cocaine use was generally practiced by young victims.

According to the Webteb medical website, heart attack often occurs when a clot prevents blood flow into the coronary artery to connect, which connects the blood to a part of the heart muscle.

Blocking blood flow to the heart can damage part of the heart muscle, or even destroy it completely. In the past, heart attacks often resulted in death, but thanks to increased awareness and progress in the medical field, many cases are currently being safeguarded.

Researchers warn of a deterioration in the health of young people who survive a heart attack.

"It's a prevention issue," Blancstein said. "The vast majority of heart attacks can be prevented through early detection, lifestyle change and the management of other risk factors."

Blancstein recommended to get rid of the habit of smoking, to exercise, to eat healthy foods and to lose weight if necessary.

The doctor advised to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and the risk of diabetes, as well as to avoid the use of marijuana and cocaine.