(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Many young adults may not consider that bad habits like eating junk food, running on no sleep and skipping the gym is going to catch up with them, but it’s happening much sooner than they probably think, with heart attacks and strokes on the rise among those under 40. Now, a new national survey among over 2,000 Americans by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many may not be considering their risks, with nearly half of those under age 45 (47%) believing they are not at risk for heart disease.
“It is alarming that younger people don’t feel that they’re at risk for heart disease, but it’s not surprising,” said Dr. Laxmi Mehta, director of Preventative Cardiology and Women’s Cardiovascular Health at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. “Most young people think heart disease only happens in old people, but that’s not the case.”
Dave Conway of Clintonville, was one of those young people. At 30 years old, heart disease was the last thing on his mind when he experienced a few days of fatigue and shortness of breath in 2018. A quick internet search of his symptoms convinced him he had pneumonia, but when he finally landed in the ER, he learned he’d had a “widowmaker” heart attack and a 100% blockage in a major artery.
“I thought people who had heart attacks or heart disease were older people who drink and smoke a lot and weigh much more than I did,” Conway said. “Recovery has been really tough, but I’m willing to do whatever my doctors tell me is needed to keep my heart safe in the future.”
Dave waited days after symptoms started to seek treatment, something that is all too common. In fact, the survey found about a third of Americans (32%) aren’t confident they would know if they were having a heart attack. Mehta says recognizing even the subtle signs of a heart attack and seeking care as soon as possible can be lifesaving.
“If something suddenly seems new and it doesn’t make sense to you, seek medical attention. Don’t Google it to figure it out. Don’t ask somebody else. Let healthcare professionals decide if you’re having a heart attack or not,” Dr. Mehta said. “When it comes to a heart attack or stroke, every second counts. In fact, you shouldn’t even drive yourself to the hospital. Call an ambulance so lifesaving care can begin right away.”
To keep tabs on your heart health, Dr. Mehta recommends following The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which includes knowing your numbers for weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, and implementing habits like eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and vaping, sleeping at least seven hours per night and getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week.
It’s also critical that you see your primary care physician every year to stay ahead of any developing issues. “Your doctor will screen for warning signs like high blood pressure and do blood work to track your cholesterol, so any changes over time can be flagged,” Dr. Mehta said. “They will also assess your risk for diabetes and screen for certain cancers and other diseases that put your future wellness at risk.”
Please use this link to direct audiences to more information on the signs of heart attacks and how to prevent them.
Survey Method:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center from January 12-17, 2023 among 2,082 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact john@mediasourcetv.com.
