Cardiologists are on edge over an alarming rise in heart attacks in young people.

The Goyanes family has lost three members in less than three weeks to cardiovascular complications. On August 7, 79-year-old Carlos Goyanes died of a heart attack. Nineteen days later, his brother Tito Goyanes died of the same complication, and just hours later, Carlos’ daughter, Caritina Goyanes, died at just 46 years old.

These deaths highlight the importance of focusing on cardiovascular health, a problem that affects all age groups and which experts say Since the 80s, it has gradually increased among young people.

Despite the bad news, there is a bittersweet conclusion: Although the number of heart attacks in young people has increased, fewer and fewer of them are fatal. At least that is what the graphs show. National Statistical Institute. Compared with the 1980s, mortality from myocardial infarction has decreased by more than 70% in the 35-49 age group and by 50% in the 50-54 age group. That is, at present Young people suffer more heart attacks, but fewer of them end in death.

Experts attribute the rise in heart attacks to a set of variables common to modern society. Some circumstances are beyond our control, such as age or family history, but many other factors are in people’s hands. Tobacco use, hypertension, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, diet, stress and other drug use. They are among the leading causes of heart attacks in the young population. They point out that with these habits on the rise, it is important know the symptoms before a heart attack occurs, so that you can contact the nearest medical center if one is detected.

How to recognize a heart attack

Each person experiences the symptoms of a heart attack differently, especially depending on its severity. But there are many signs that can help us identify it. The first and most important one, which occurs in 80% of cases, is angina pectorisa squeezing or painful sensation in the upper torso. In this case, some patients report that another person is sitting on their chest or stomach. Sometimes the strange sensation or pain spreads to the shoulders, arms, neck, or back, causing severe discomfort.

These symptoms may also be accompanied by fatigueas the heart tries to maintain a constant flow of blood, despite all the obstacles and lack of air, due to the efforts that the body makes. In some people, overstraining the heart leads to sudden dizziness, fainting, or nausea.

These symptoms can appear hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack, so if a person suffers from angina that does not go away with rest, the ideal option is seek help immediately.

In fact, if any of these symptoms occur, the best course of action is to always notify health authorities immediately, as The earlier a possible heart attack is detected, the better the prognosis. However, an alarming fact revealed by a study conducted by the Spanish Society of Cardiology in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is that Women’s risk of dying from a heart attack was twice that of men (9.3% versus 18.7%). The reason is probably a combination of ignorance of the symptoms of a heart attack by both women themselves and health workers, and differences in the use of one or another treatment method depending on the patient’s gender.

Main causes of heart attacks

Heart attacks are usually the result of decreased blood flow in the major blood vessels of our heart. This decreased blood flow is usually caused by what is called “atheromas”, i.e. cholesterol deposits that get into our arteries and grow over time. As atheromatous plaques grow in size, they reduce the diameter of blood vessels, which slows blood flow.

The effect of atheromatous plaque can be compared to cut a lane on the highway: Although vehicles can continue to move, a traffic jam usually forms, slowing down traffic. The main difference is that in some cases, atheroma plaques can break off and partially or completely block blood circulation.

There are other things that can cause a heart attack, such as when the muscles surrounding a coronary artery spasm and contract. The contraction can choke the vessel and block blood flow. Also, certain viral infections, such as COVID-19can affect the heart muscle and prevent it from pumping blood properly, and certain injuries can lead to cardiac arrest.

Cardiovascular health is a global problem

As data from the National Institute of Statistics show, cardiovascular diseases were, from where the data show, from 1980 to 2023, the leading cause of death in Spain. But cardiovascular health is important not only in our country, but also globally, with the World Health Organization indicating that in 2022 Ischemic heart disease caused 16% of all deaths on the planet..

For this reason, cardiologists insist on the importance Minimize risk factors by leading a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, and medical checkups, especially if you have a family history of hypertension or hypercholesterolemia, to help control your levels when needed. It’s never too late to change bad habits, but the sooner you start, the better. Taking care of our hearts from an early age opens up more opportunities for aging and ensuring a high quality of life.