[Click! Health] "Don't Let Your Guard Down Because You're Young"... Increasing Heart Disease Among Young People

Heart disease ranks as the first or second leading cause of death worldwide. While heart disease primarily occurs in middle-aged and elderly populations, there has been a rising trend among younger individuals under 30 in recent years. Especially during seasonal transitions, the worsening of heart disease is frequent, requiring special caution.

According to the 2022 mortality statistics, heart disease ranked second as a cause of death in South Korea, following cancer. In other words, when considering single-organ diseases, it is the leading cause, with the number of patients increasing every year. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals for heart disease rose from 1,529,537 in 2018 to 1,833,320 in 2022, an increase of 19.9%. Notably, the increase was pronounced among young people in their teens and twenties. During the same period, the number of patients in their teens increased by 40.5%, and those in their twenties by 40.9%.

Dr. Kim Min-sik, head of the Department of Cardiology at Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “Cardiovascular diseases have a higher incidence as people enter old age, but the incidence among younger people is also rising, so adults of all ages need to be cautious. On days with large temperature differences, blood vessels contract due to the sudden drop in temperature, often causing sudden chest pain at dawn, so special care is needed.”

The main causes of the increased incidence of heart disease among young people are obesity and stress. Obesity constricts blood vessels, hindering smooth blood flow, raising blood pressure, and causing heart problems. Ischemic heart diseases such as myocardial infarction and angina, which occur when the heart does not receive adequate blood supply, can lead to sudden death if symptoms are severe. Especially among younger individuals, awareness of heart disease is low, so symptoms may be misinterpreted or neglected, leading to serious conditions. If arteriosclerosis progresses rapidly, complications can arise in a short time, so caution is necessary.

Particularly during seasonal transitions like now, more attention should be paid to heart disease. When there is a large temperature difference, the body consumes more energy than usual to adapt to the temperature change, increasing physical and mental fatigue and lowering immunity. Additionally, blood vessels constrict due to low temperatures, raising blood pressure and accelerating heartbeats, which burdens the heart. It is known that when the temperature difference exceeds 10 degrees Celsius, mortality from cardiovascular diseases increases by 4%. Especially for those with chronic diseases such as arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, or a family history, exposure to cold dawn winds can cause sudden coronary artery constriction, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and other events.

Regardless of age, the most important factor in preventing heart disease is maintaining healthy eating habits. It is advisable to avoid red meat, fried foods, butter, and other fatty foods, and instead consume protein-rich foods such as seafood, beans, and tofu. Excessively salty foods increase blood volume and burden the cardiovascular system, so reducing salt intake is recommended. Adequate hydration is also important because dehydration raises heart rate and burdens the heart. Smoking constricts blood vessels and accelerates arteriosclerosis, and excessive alcohol consumption can cause hypertension and arrhythmia, so both should be avoided.

Consistent aerobic exercise to strengthen the cardiopulmonary system is also necessary. It is good to engage in low-impact activities such as walking for more than 30 minutes a day. Swimming and cycling help strengthen the cardiopulmonary system and lower heart rate. However, when exercising outdoors in the morning with large temperature differences like these days, it is important to keep warm and perform sufficient stretching before and after exercise. Dr. Kim Min-sik advised, “If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, vertigo, or nausea during exercise that are different from usual, these may be warning signs of heart disease.”