Heart disease is one of the most important causes of death throughout the world. There’s a general impression that heart ailments or strokes occur at old age. But it actually doesn’t have anything to do with age. It can happen to anyone even before reaching 50.
Let’s jot five principal reasons for heart disease:
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
Having high cholesterol level is a reason for heart ailment. According to report by American Heart Association, ‘FH’ contributes to excessive level of low density lipoprotein (above 190 mg) or poor LDL cholesterol.
One person among 250 have FH, which is actually the root cause of the high cholesterol. Untreated FH among men causes heart attack even before 50 years. While for women, the age limit is 60 years.
“People with FH see artery disease progress earlier and more rapidly than people without FH,” said Sophocles, who has the condition and is also a board member on the FH Foundation.
Smoking
One of the main factors of early heart disease is smoking. Young people who have the habit of smoking increase the chances of heart ailments during their 40s and 50s.
“It’s a very potent risk factor that’s disproportionally present in younger patients,” Dr Willie Lawrence, cardiology chief at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri said. “If you’re a younger person who wants to avoid a heart attack, the most important thing you can do is not smoke,” he opined.
Pregnancy complications
Pregnancy complications among women also increase the risk of heart attacks. “Pregnant women who have these complications are really giving us a little window into what their future vascular situation will be,” said Dr. Maria Sophocles, medical director of Women’s Healthcare at Princeton in New Jersey.
Race
Race and some other risk factors are coupled to elevate the dangers of heart ailments. While race can’t be changed, risk can be significantly lowered with effort.
Depression
A depressed person is more prone to heart attacks. Depression releases stress hormones and also increases inflammatory chemicals that narrows the arteries that increases the chances of heart attacks.
