More younger women are having heart attacks than before, a new study has shown. Researchers at Johns Hopkins were surprised to find that even as heart attack incidents were decreasing in older adults, the number of younger adults, especially women is increasing.
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Observational study
The study, published in the American Heart Association’s journal reviewed more than 28,000 hospitalizations for heart attacks in four cities. The results showed that heart attacks have risen among between the ages of 35 and 54, especially women. What the study doesn’t reveal is the reason for the spike in cases among younger adults. According to Dr Virginia Colliver, one of the researchers, it could be due to more people having risk factors at a younger age.
This observational study found a trend in young women. But the research doesn't provide insight into why the uptick in heart attacks is happening to younger people. I suspect it has to do with more people having risk factors for heart disease at an earlier age.
Risk factors
It has long been established that women are more likely than men to suffer a heart attack and this is due to women having more of the risk factors for this cardiovascular disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and the resultant weight problems underlie some of the major risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Others are:
- Family history of heart disease
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Excessive alcohol use
- Smoking
Using prescription hormone drugs for birth controls or for managing symptoms of menopause could increase the risk of having a heart attack, although Dr Colliver clarified that these drugs are safe to use for most young women.
Birth control pills can increase your risk of having a blood clot, either in the heart or in the legs, and they can also raise your blood pressure. So, if you have a history of high blood pressure or clotting problems, other types of contraception might be a better fit for you. But for most young women, it's safe to take birth control medication.
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