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What Are Common Heart Problems in Young People?

Common heart problems in people under the age of 40 generally include myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease, and arrhythmia. Although family history plays a large role in heart problems, studies show that other types of heart disease are appearing in higher numbers in younger people because of widespread unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

  1. Congenital Heart Disease

    • Congenital heart disease (CHD) is present at birth and can refer to a variety of conditions describing the deformity of the heart. CHD is divided into two primary categories: cyanotic and noncyanotic. Cyanotic refers to a blue discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen; conditions include tricuspid atresia. Noncyanotic conditions include patent ductus arteriosus. CHD is usually remedied with surgery or medication, provided the condition is identified early enough.

    Arrhythmia

    • Arrhythmia is harder to detect than is CHD, primarily because patients are rarely aware of it until something goes wrong. The condition may persist for years without harmful effects but occasionally gets out of control because of stress. Arrhythmia causes the heart to beat faster (tachycardia) or slower (bradycardia) than normal. Arrhythmia is often diagnosed in younger people who have no other health problems but die abruptly or experience massive heart trauma.

    Myocardial Infarction

    • Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is usually caused by blockage of the coronary artery that leads to the heart. The blockage is caused by massive buildup of plaque, which results from a sustained unhealthy diet and no exercise. Although this condition was previously found mostly in people aged 40 years or older, a culturally widespread high-fat/low-exercise lifestyle has greatly increased the number of myocardial infarctions among young people.

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