Heart disease doesn’t happen just to older adults. It is happening to younger adults more and more often. The reality is that heart problems can begin at any age.
“A study found that the rate of heart attacks in younger people (aged 35-64 years) increased from 27% to 32%.”
Heart disease—and the conditions that lead to it—can happen at any age. High rates of obesity and high blood pressure among younger people are putting them at risk for heart disease earlier in life.
Since we know irrespective of age, heart disease can occur to anybody, it is important to talk to your cardiologist or doctorsabout your heart health. There are several routine checkups your primary care physician can take to make sure your heart is healthy, such as:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Listening to your heart and lungs
In addition to above checkups, your doctor can order several other tests including blood sugar, cholesterol and sodium, to determine whether you might be at the risk of heart diseases. These are the basic diagnostic tests.
Talk to your cardiologist about symptoms
It’s always better to talk to your cardiologist for any symptoms that you might thought of related to your heart. There are some common symptoms, more commonly seen in men, and that includes:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Sensation of pressure or squeezing around the heart
In women the signs and symptoms can be quite different. In addition to above mentioned symptoms, women may also experience:
- Pressure in the upper back
- Pressure in the upper abdomen
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In children and teenagers, chest pain rarely involve as symptoms. Below could be symptoms in them:
- Shortness of breath when keeping up with peers
- Inability to physically keep up with peers
- Dizziness with physical activity
- Heart palpitations
- Fainting
- Turning blue around the gums
You could be at risk
Many of the conditions and behaviors that put people at risk for heart disease are appearing at younger ages:
Smoking
Smoking damages the blood vessels and can cause heart disease.
Obesity
Carrying extra weight puts stress on the heart.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. This can damage blood vessels and nerves that help control the heart muscle.
Physical inactivity
Staying physically active helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
Unhealthy eating patterns
Diet high in trans-fat, saturated fat, and added sugar increases the risk factor for heart disease.
Take Control of Your Heart Health
You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your heart. Here are some tips to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk factors for heart disease:
- Make heart-healthy eating changes. This includes lot of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Limit your consumption of sugar, salt, and fats, especially saturated fat.
- Stay active. Exercise regularly –a 30-minute walk during the day can keep your heart muscle healthy.
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid drug use, including marijuana
It is never too early to start paying attention to heart health. Take care of your heart and always say #IAmHeartHealthy.
