Doctors explained why heart diseases are affecting younger peopleHealthcare professionals are raising an alarm: cardiovascular diseases are rapidly affecting younger people, striking individuals in their prime. Cardiologists note a disturbing trend where

Cardiologists sound the alarm: young people aged 18-25 are forming dangerous heart habits

This is reported by The Conversation portal.

Alarming statistics: over the past 15 years, the frequency of cardiovascular diseases among Americans under 40 has more than doubled, and for smokers, this rate has tripled. Meanwhile, most young people continue to consider heart attacks and hypertension as problems exclusively of the elderly.

"I increasingly encounter patients aged 20-25 suffering from high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and obesity," shared an American cardiologist-researcher. "These risk factors form surprisingly early, often before graduating from high school."

The main culprit is identified as atherosclerosis — dangerous deposits of fat and cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. Research shows that heart health begins to deteriorate by age 17, when blood pressure indicators, sleep quality, diet patterns, and physical activity levels gradually shift in an unfavorable direction.

Nicotine poses a particular danger. Its use among 18-23-year-olds has sharply increased from 21% in 2002 to 43% in 2018, largely due to the popularity of vapes and nicotine pouches. Nicotine has a devastating effect on blood vessels, accelerates plaque formation, and significantly increases the risk of heart attack.

Equally alarming is the data on excess weight: already, one in five people under 25 has a body mass index above 30. The forecasts are discouraging: by age 35, almost 60% of today's youth will suffer from obesity. Meanwhile, less than half of young adults understand the direct connection between high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and the risk of heart disease.

Regular doctor visits, monitoring blood pressure and sugar levels, discussing family medical history — all this helps to identify hidden risks in a timely manner. Specialists recommend taking initiative and independently raising questions about heart health during doctor appointments.

The American Heart Association identifies eight key factors affecting heart health. Four of them are behavioral:

regular physical activity (about 20 minutes a day), avoiding nicotine, adequate sleep (7-9 hours), and a balanced diet with sufficient amounts of fish, berries, and vegetables.

The other four are medical indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar level, cholesterol, and body mass index. Among young people, three of these four indicators have significantly worsened in recent years.

Cardiologists emphasized: now is the time to pay attention to the heart. Checking blood pressure and sugar levels, quitting vaping, walking instead of taking a taxi, and home-cooked meals instead of fast food may seem like small things, but it is from such decisions that health is built for decades to come.