The choices you make early in life right from smoking to unhealthy diet, all stick to you and cause havoc internally, but you may pay it dearly down the road of life. The younger generation are more into that lifestyle where they are starting to see early blood vessel problems, and when it comes into the heart it is showing worrying trends.
Gone are the days when people would get heart problems at the age of 60-70 years, the misconception probably is that this disease doesn’t affect you until you’re old. Young people, especially Gen Z are those who are aged 15-24 years today, need special attention to what health professionals are warning. Apart from the modern way of life, some of these young adults have a strong family history of heart disease and their liver makes extra cholesterol and Triglycerides. This makes them more vulnerable to develop heart diseases early. There are evidences of rise of heart diseases in Gen Z as compared to previous generations.
In a country like India with a population of more than 135 crore, about 50% of its population are below the age-group of 25, and more than 65% below the age-group of 35. It’s an alarming situation for the nation that needs to be addressed. A majority of the patients with hypertension in India are unaware of their condition. This is because of lack of awareness and the lack of screening for hypertension. People think of heart disease as primarily a man’s disease because men get it earlier. But after menopause it evens out, and women are more likely to die of heart disease than men.
What are some risk factors that young people might not be aware of?
- Lack of sleep – less than six hours increases risk of heart disease
- Unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol consumption and addictions to drugs
- Sitting is the new smoking — even people who exercise are more at risk for health problems if they sit at a desk for hours a day
- High fatty diet and low exercise
- Chronic stress and anxiety
- Certain medical conditions in women – Conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension can all increase one’s risk of developing heart disease in the future.
What questions should Gen Z ask their parents about their health?
- Has anyone in the family had a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death at an early age, meaning younger than 55 for men and 65 for women?
- If you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, at what age was it diagnosed?
- Do you take medications for a chronic condition?
- Have you been screened for heart disease? If your parents’ answer is no… relax but stay alert.
Heart-healthy tips
- Know your numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Stop smoking.
- Lose weight: Obesity increases blood pressure.
- Make healthy food choices for yourself and your family and reduce the amount of sodium in your family’s diet.
- Exercise regularly and teach children the importance of staying active.
It’s important to not have unrealistic expectations, but to have a healthy, balanced lifestyle that you can continue till ripe age.
References
- https://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/columns/story/why-millennials-gen-z-are-more-prone-to-heart-attacks-306663-2021-09-15
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/age-is-just-a-number-research-says-millennials-face-more-heart-disease-symptoms-than-older-adults/articleshow/71375168.cms
- https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-millennials-need-to-know-about-safeguarding-their-heart-health/
- https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/addressing-the-unprecedented-behavioral-health-challenges-facing-generation-z