Heart attacks are becoming more common among U.S. adults younger than 40 years, research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session shows.
Researchers examined 2,097 patients younger than 50 years admitted for a heart attack in two large hospitals between 2000 and 2016. Of the total number of patients, 20 percent were younger than 40. Researchers used patient angiograms to compare patients 40 years old or younger with those who were older than 40.
The study shows one in five patients who suffered from a heart attack were 40 years old or younger. Additionally, the proportion of people younger than 40 who have had a heart attack has increased by 2 percent each year for the past decade.
"Even if you're in your 20s or 30s, once you've had a heart attack, you're at risk for more cardiovascular events and you have just as much risk as someone who may be older than you," said Ron Blankstein, MD, a preventive cardiologist at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital, an associate professor at Boston-based Harvard Medical School and the study's senior author.
The risk factors for heart attack between the two groups — younger than 40 years and from 41 to 50 years — is similar and includes diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking, among others. However, the youngest patients were more likely to report substance abuse, but less alcohol use than the older patients.
The American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session will take place, March 16 to March 18, in New Orleans.