on PinterestThree young adults with cardiovascular disease their stories. From left: Crystal Davis, Ally Lavalley, and Chad Witheridge.
on PinterestThree young adults with cardiovascular disease their stories. From left: Crystal Davis, Ally Lavalley, and Chad Witheridge. Design by Healthline; Photography courtesy of subjects
- Younger adults may face higher risks of cardiovascular disease due to factors like obesity or inactivity.
- Three younger individuals their journeys with cardiovascular disease and the steps they take to stay heart healthy.
- Experts explain why cardiovascular disease can occur in younger individuals and how adopting certain lifestyle habits can help maintain a strong and healthy heart.
More than 28 million adults in the United States live with cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Yet, older adults aren’t the only individuals comprising this statistic; younger adults are affected as well.
A recent study by Northwestern University found that 1 in 7 adults ages 30 to 59 has a high 30-year risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Blair Suter, MD, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explained the factors driving these early onset cases.
“The main reasons that younger adults experience heart disease is due to risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, drug use, family history of heart disease, as well as uncontrolled medical problems such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension,” Suter told Healthline.
To maintain heart health, experts recommend following the AHA’s Life’s Essential 8, which focuses on managing heart disease risk factors. These include:
- managing high blood pressure
- managing diabetes
- maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- smoking cessation
- maintaining a healthy weight
- getting proper sleep
- exercising regularly (including both cardio and resistance training)
- eating a healthy, balanced diet emphasizing whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins
“One of the areas that I have made the most impact in patients’ lives is my meeting them where they are to encourage movement and find ways that people can be active,” Suter said.
“It’s important to follow the advice of a doctor for medication therapy as well as work with your doctor or others to engage in a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of worsening heart disease,” he added.
Since heart disease is all too common in younger adults, Healthline spoke with three individuals who’ve been affected to raise awareness about early onset and inspire others to pay attention to their heart health.
3 heart disease survivors their stories
Each of the following cardiovascular disease survivors experienced the traditional risk factor of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, which quietly raised their risk profiles for certain heart conditions.
Each of these individuals maintains their cholesterol levels with the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab (Repatha). They also practice healthy lifestyle habits to maintain a strong heart.
Crystal Davis, 52
Davis was 48 when she was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and elevated LDL-C.
on PinterestDesign by Healthline; Photography courtesy of Crystal Davis“I had pain in my chest and back, went to the ER, and was told I wasn’t having a heart attack but checked with my cardiologist,” she said.
Because she already had high blood pressure, her doctor ran labs and performed an ultrasound that found a small blockage in her carotid artery.
In addition to medication, Davis maintains healthy living through diet, exercise, and “happiness.”
She is in
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