Table of contents:
- Characteristics and signs of heart disease at a young age
- 1. High blood pressure
- 2. Chest pain (angina)
- 3. Shortness of breath
- The importance of knowing the characteristics of heart disease at a young age
Currently, heart disease (cardiovascular) can no longer be called a disease of the elderly or elderly. According to Riskesdas 2018 data, the prevalence of heart disease in Indonesia starts from the age of less than 1 year to over 75 years. That means, heart disease can attack all ages, including people who are young. So, what are the characteristics of heart disease at a young age? Come on, get to know more about the following signs and symptoms.
Characteristics and signs of heart disease at a young age
The occurrence of heart disease at a young age is caused by many factors. Starting from genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and a poor diet which leads to high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.
The risk of heart disease that has lurked from a young age, requires you to improve your lifestyle again. In addition, you also need to increase your knowledge about the warning signs of heart disease.
Here are some features of heart disease at a young age that you should pay attention to, including:
1. High blood pressure
The Northwestern Medicine website states that high blood pressure (hypertension) is a warning sign of cardiovascular disease that can appear at the age of 18.
Hypertension itself is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. This is because uncontrolled blood pressure can make the heart work harder to pump blood and make the arteries in the heart stiffer.
High blood pressure often causes no symptoms. However, in some cases, people with this condition complain of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness or headache
- The pounding chest felt tighter
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds and nausea
2. Chest pain (angina)
Chest pain is a common feature of heart disease, including for people at a young age. This symptom of cardiovascular disease is also known as angina.
Pain related to heart disease occurs generally in the left chest. If it occurs in the middle or lower chest area, it may be related to lung or digestive problems.
In addition to its location, chest pain from heart disease is often described as being compressed or squeezed. The appearance of angina is caused by the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
Cleveland Clinic reports that chest pain is often experienced by young athletes. These symptoms are apparently caused by heart problems, such as congenital heart defects, inflammation and thickening of the heart muscle, and heart valve disorders.
3. Shortness of breath
The next characteristic of heart disease that needs to be watched out for is shortness of breath (dyspnea). The occurrence of shortness of breath followed by the symptoms mentioned above can confirm the diagnosis of heart disease.
Apart from appearing when a person is doing activities such as sports, shortness of breath can also appear when lying down. Symptoms like this are usually felt by people who have heart failure.
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and pulse changes, see a doctor immediately. If indeed the general practitioner suspects it is a symptom of heart disease, you will be referred to a heart specialist.
Then, to find out what causes heart disease and its type, you will be asked to do a series of medical tests, such as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram.
Afterward, the doctor reads the test results, determines the type of disease, and decides which medications and medical procedures for heart disease are appropriate. You are also asked to follow a heart diet, followed by changes in habits, such as quitting smoking and exercising regularly.
The importance of knowing the characteristics of heart disease at a young age
Knowing the various signs of heart disease at a young age is important because it allows the doctor's treatment to be faster. That way, fatal complications can be avoided and the risk of death is also reduced.
However, you need to know that everyone may show signs and symptoms of heart disease that are not always the same. This depends on the type of heart disease that attacks.
In fact, some do not feel the warning signs so that this disease is often referred to as silent killer.
Therefore, the American Heart Association recommends regular health checks, such as checking cholesterol and blood pressure levels at that age. This is done as an effort to prevent heart disease, which often causes no symptoms and occurs suddenly.
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