Heart Attacks In Young People Are More Common Than You Think

It is a common misconception that heart attacks only happen to the old and unfit. Heart attacks can happen to people of all ages. They can also be exacerbated by exercise in otherwise fit and healthy people. “Every week, 12 seemingly fit and previously healthy young people under the age of 35 die unexpectedly from a heart attack,” warns Emma Hammett, CEO of First Aid for Life. “Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD) describes the death of a young person within 12 hours of apparently normal health – in 80% of fatalities there are no previous symptoms. Furthermore, playing sport or exercising, while usually fantastic for your health, could put you up to three times more at risk from having a heart attack if you have an undiagnosed heart condition.”

Fortunately a free simple test can flag up whether you have an underlying heart problem. Here, Emma walks us through everything we need to know…

First of all, can you tell us the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest?

A heart attack is when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked. The heart muscle is robbed of its vital blood supply and, if left untreated, will begin to die, because it’s not getting enough oxygen. If you are having a heart attack you will be conscious.

A cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops pumping blood around their body and they stop breathing normally. If you are in cardiac arrest you will be unconscious and need to receive CPR immediately. Using a defibrillator and calling an ambulance give those in cardiac arrest the best chance of recovery.

How do heart attacks affect young people?

In young people, sudden cardiac death describes an unexpected and immediate fatality from a heart problem within 12 hours of apparent normal health. In fact, some young cardiac deaths are so unexpected and without warning they are mistakenly attributed to drowning or road accidents. What adds to the shock and distress of YSCD is in the vast majority of cases – around 80% – there were no signs or symptoms. This makes cardiac screening crucial.

What are the risk factors for heart attacks in young people?

The British Heart Foundation identifies the following as risk factors: an undiagnosed heart condition; a history of cardiac disease, cot death or fitting in their family; or if they have previously suffered from fitting, passing out, shortness of breath or palpitations. Or other factors such as Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a condition which results in an increased risk of an irregular heartbeat, causing palpitations, fainting, drowning, or sudden death.

Are there known triggers?

These incidents can be triggered by exercise or stress. If someone who plays sport carries an undiagnosed heart condition capable of causing sudden cardiac death, they are three times more likely to die when playing sport. However, many young people who have been diagnosed as having a cardiac abnormality are able to continue to enjoy and excel at their sports, and are much safer being appropriately treated and monitored.

What are the symptoms?

You will probably feel extremely unwell and are likely to be pale, clammy and light headed – listen to those symptoms and phone for help quickly. A heart attack can also lead to a cardiac arrest, in which your heart stops pumping blood and normal breathing stops.

The classic symptoms of a heart attack include pain in the chest, especially in the centre, that lasts for a few minutes and comes and goes. This discomfort may feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or an aching sensation. The pain can radiate into the neck, arms, back, jaw, or stomach. It can manifest as pain or a general discomfort. Men often experience a heart attack as chest pain – however, post-menopausal women and anyone who is diabetic are far less likely to experience the chest pain.