Why heart attacks are rising in adults under 50, and how to protect yourself

While many young adults may think heart disease is a condition reserved for older people, heart attacks are unfortunately on the rise in men and women under 50. The troubling trend has been growing in recent years.

“We are seeing more heart attacks and heart disease in younger adults in their 30s and 40s than in the past, said Endeavor Health cardiologist Mark Metzl, MD. The increase in premature coronary artery disease in people under 50 is somewhat confounding as it’s not one but many risk factors that are increasing, he added.

What are some of these heart attack risk factors, and what can people do to reduce their risk?

1. Adopt heart-healthy habits. According to Dr. Metzl, several key factors play a role in heart disease risk. Obesity is the biggest risk factor, but diabetes, smoking, undiagnosed high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome — a group of conditions including hypertension, obesity, high blood sugar and high triglycerides — all dramatically increase the risk for heart disease. 
   
   While major risk factors like obesity and smoking are easier to quantify with data and have long been tracked, hard-to-measure lifestyle and psycho-social factors are also known risk factors for heart disease. Increasing stress levels among younger adults may play a role in this negative trend, suggested Dr. Metzl. 
   
   Rising incidences of vaping and smoking marijuana are likely also problematic in terms of increasing risks for coronary disease. 
   
   “We encourage everyone to be proactive and reduce their risks with heart healthy habits like not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting your cholesterol levels checked,” said Dr. Metzl.
    
2. Don’t skip annual physicals. “An annual physical with your internist is a preventative checkup and an important part of maintaining good health,” said Dr. Metzl. 
   
   Younger adults juggling busy careers and family life often postpone routine health appointments, cholesterol screenings, and preventive care. Skipping these appointments likely contributes to the rise in heart disease. 
   
   For people who are looking for reasons to change their behavior or adopt healthier habits, scores from these screenings can be motivating, he added. “Knowing you are at a higher risk is enough for many people to help them make important changes and healthier decisions.” 
   
   Regular checkups and healthy lifestyle habits are even more important for people with a family history of heart disease.
    
3. Know your family history. Genetic predisposition can also increase your risk of heart attack, as factors like high cholesterol can also be impacted by your genetic makeup. 
   
   “Individual risk for heart disease is more complex and more nuanced than ever before with the availability of polygenetic risk scores and new guidelines evolving for cholesterol and other factors,” said Dr. Metzl. 
   
   While men still have more premature heart attacks than women, the number of women experiencing heart attacks before 50 has been increasing dramatically in the last decade. 
   
   “The expertise of a cardiology specialist to help sort through individual risk factors can make a big difference,” he added.

With the widespread use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss and more awareness of risk factors, Dr. Metzl and colleagues hope more people will take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease.