The rising threat: heart disease in the young
Heart disease is often viewed as a problem of older adults, but the reality is shifting. Across many regions, an alarming number of young people experience heart conditions or experience life-threatening events earlier than expected. World Heart Day’s theme Dont miss a beat underscores the urgency: prevention, early detection and rapid treatment can save lives and protect futures. Public awareness, better screening, and clearer pathways to care are essential in turning the tide for younger generations.
Experts point to a mix of lifestyle shifts, genetic factors, and social determinants that collectively raise risk for youth. Obesity and sedentary behavior have become more common in adolescence and early adulthood. Diets high in processed foods, salt, and added sugars compound problems such as high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol in younger people. Meanwhile, congenital or genetic conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, can predispose individuals to early heart disease even in otherwise healthy youths.
Key risk factors for young lives
Lifestyle choices and obesity
Physical inactivity, poor nutrition and the rise of sugary beverages contribute to a cluster of risk factors that damage arteries and heart function early. Smoking and vaping during adolescence further increase cardiovascular risk and complicate health trajectories into adulthood.
Genetic and congenital factors
Some heart conditions are inherited. Conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia cause very high cholesterol from a young age and require early detection and treatment to prevent early heart attacks or arterial disease.
Stress, mental health, and social determinants
Chronic stress, financial hardship, limited access to healthy foods, unsafe neighborhoods and barriers to healthcare can delay diagnosis and treatment. Mental health challenges can also impair adherence to medications and follow-up care, worsening outcomes for young patients with heart disease.
Why earlier detection matters
Symptoms of heart disease in youth can be subtle—fatigue, chest discomfort during exertion or fainting after intense activity. Without timely screening, these signs may be overlooked. Early detection through regular risk assessment, lipid testing and, when indicated, ECGs or echocardiograms, enables clinicians to intervene before irreversible damage or sudden cardiac events occur. Education in schools and primary care about warning signs can empower young people to seek help sooner.
What we can do together
Individual actions
Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle: regular activity, balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoidance of tobacco products. Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol as recommended by a clinician, and seek medical advice promptly for chest pain, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath, even during workouts or sports participation.
Community and schools
Community programs and school curricula should emphasize cardiovascular health, offer screenings where feasible, and create environments that encourage physical activity and nutritious food choices. Peer-led education can reduce stigma and promote early help-seeking behavior.
Policy and health systems
Policies that support preventive care, subsidize healthier foods, regulate unhealthy marketing to youth, and improve access to affordable screening services are crucial. Training clinicians to recognize youth-specific cardiovascular signs and to manage inherited risk factors can dramatically cut late presentations and improve outcomes.
World Heart Day: Don’t miss a beat
The World Heart Day message is clear: act now to protect young lives from heart disease through prevention, early detection and timely treatment. By combining individual choices with community action and strong health policies, we can reduce the burden of heart disease on younger generations and ensure a healthier future for all.
