Causes of Heart Attack in Young Children • Hello Sehat
Heart attacks in young people are common. At any age, a heart attack is a very serious occurrence. But this seems even more terrifying to young people. But are heart attacks in young people as fatal as those in older people? Yes and no. The short-term outlook for heart attack victims under 45 is actually better than for older patients. Maybe because they often have only one cardiac vascular disorder and also have good heart muscle.
However, in one study of patients who had a heart attack at an average age of 36 years, 15% died within 15 years. In another study of heart attack cases in young people, whether male or female under the age of 40, only 1% died within 1 year, but 25% died in less than 15 years.
Symptoms of a heart attack in young children
According to the American Council On Science and Health, the usual symptoms for heart attacks in young people are chest pressure, shortness of breath, and cold sweats. These symptoms can be signs of heat stroke, asthma, or even a side effect of an emotional outburst. But at the same time, they can also be a diagnosis of signs of a heart attack, especially if you are an individual under the age of 40. In addition, other signs can also include chest pain, nausea, jaw pain, and vomiting.
Causes of heart attacks in young people
The following are various causes of heart attacks that can occur in the age group under 40 years:
1. Kawasaki disease
This is a rare childhood disease. Kawasaki involves inflammation of blood vessels, such as arteries, capillaries, and veins. Sometimes Kawasaki disease affects the coronary arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Children who have this disease can develop serious heart problems later in life. This usually gets to know right away by your doctor if you’ve had your second heart attack by age 24.
2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of heart attack in young people, including young athletes, and it is usually inherited. This disorder is caused by a gene mutation in the heart muscle, which is characterized by enlargement of the heart muscle cells. This enlargement then causes the walls of the ventricles (the “pumps” of the heart) to thicken, blocking blood flow. The ventricles then have to work harder to pump blood flow which makes physical activity unsafe, and often escapes early detection.
3.Coronary artery disease (CAD)
This is usually the cause of heart attacks in men. As many as 10% of all heart attacks occur in men under 45 years of age. Just like heart attacks in older people, heart attacks in young people are 80% caused by coronary artery disease, which is a blockage of cholesterol in the arteries that serve the heart. Other causes of early heart attack in men include abnormalities of one or many arteries, blood clots in other areas that are conveyed to the coronary arteries, clotting system disorders, spasm or inflammation of the arteries, chest trauma, and drug abuse.
The lion’s share of coronary artery disease in younger men was associated with the same risk factors as in the elderly. These include a family history of heart disease, smoking, alcohol, high cholesterol, air pollution, hypertension (high blood pressure), abdominal obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, lack of exercise, elevated levels of C-reactive protein, and poor diet.
What must be done to prevent it?
In fact, many threats to heart health are also caused by lifestyle. Smoking is the biggest threat, and that is why it is the first thing that should be seriously addressed and taken care of. Being overweight or obese is another important factor. Lack of physical activity can also damage the heart, as can substance abuse. And for someone with diabetes, lack of attention for this serious condition can also pose a risk to the heart.
And without a doubt, young adults have heart attacks more frequently than older adults, so they should watch for symptoms that may be signs of a heart attack. Meanwhile, for heart attacks that occur due to Kawasaki disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, You have no control, so the only way is you have to live a healthy lifestyle.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.