What's Behind the Rise in Heart Attacks Among Young People
                     What's Behind the Rise in Heart Attacks 
Among Young People?
The total number of heart attacks in the United States is lower than ever before. That’s 
great news, right? But don’t celebrate yet because there’s one worrisome problem: Dr. 
Sunny Handa from Brampton said that-Heart attacks are increasing in young adults 
under the age of 40 — including those in their 20s and 30s. 
Knowing what’s behind the rise in heart attacks in young adults can help you take steps 
to protect your health and prevent cardiovascular disease. At Cardio Metabolic Institute,
we specialize in assessing your risk and developing a long-range plan to help you beat 
the statistics and prevent a heart attack. 
Heart attacks are on the rise in patients aged 20-30 years old
Not long ago, heart attacks were primarily a problem faced by older adults. It was rare 
for anyone younger than 40 to have a heart attack. Now 1 in 5 heart attack patients are 
younger than 40 years of age.   
Here’s another troubling fact to highlight the problem: Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton 
said having a heart attack in your 20s or early 30s is more common. Between the years 
2000-2016, the heart attack rate increased by 2% every year in this young age group.
Your outlook isn’t better following a heart attack just because you’re younger. Patients 
who have a heart attack in their 20s or 30s face the same risks as older patients. Once 
you have that first heart attack, you have the same chance of dying from a second 
major heart event or a stroke regardless of your age. 
Diabetes is a key risk factor for an early heart attack
If you have diabetes, you’re 2-4 times more likely to die from heart disease compared 
with adults who don’t have diabetes. Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton said the problem 
develops when your blood sugar isn’t controlled well enough to keep it within a healthy 
range. High blood sugar damages your blood vessels, which increases the chance of 
fats building up in your arteries and causing atherosclerosis. 
Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton said patients with diabetes are also more likely to 
have other chronic health diseases that significantly increase the risk of a heart attack, 
including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 
Young adults are increasingly diagnosed with hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the biggest risk factors for 
cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, just like the trend in heart attacks, the incidence 
of hypertension is rising faster in young adults than in older adults. Dr. Sunny Handa 
from Brampton said high blood pressure makes your heart muscles thicken, harms your
blood vessels, and increases your risk of a heart attack. 
Overweight and obesity are key players in heart attacks
Being overweight has a significant influence on your risk of having a heart attack for 
several reasons. For starters, carrying extra weight places a high demand on your 
heart. Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton said obesity alone makes you more likely to 
have a heart attack even if you’re otherwise healthy.
However, patients who are overweight and obese often have other health conditions 
that detract from their heart health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high 
cholesterol. 
Smoking cigarettes and vaping are major risk factors for a heart attack
Of all the things that contribute to heart attacks in young adults, smoking cigarettes is 
one of the top risk factors. Your risk of a heart attack increases in direct proportion to 
the number of cigarettes you smoke. Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton said - Smoking 
one pack a day more than doubles your risk for a heart attack compared with 
nonsmokers. 
While cigarette smoking has a much higher chance of causing a heart attack compared 
with vaping, you’re still not off the hook if you vape. Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton 
said that E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other toxic compounds that accelerate your 
heart rate and raise your blood pressure. A recent study found that vaping made you 
34% more likely to have a heart attack compared with non-vapers. 
Substance abuse takes a toll on your heart
The experts are still studying the effect of marijuana on your heart, but they know that it 
boosts your heart rate and raises your risk of having a heart attack. Cocaine’s impact on
your heart, however, is well established. Dr. Sunny Handa from Brampton said cocaine 
increases your heart rate, tightens your blood vessels, and raises your blood pressure, 
all of which are associated with heart attacks..