Why Are Heart Attacks Rising Among Young People?

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen many complications being reported among the patients after recovery. One such complication is the rise in heart-related issues in young adults. Before COVID-19, acute corona problems were seen in patients generally aged around 50s. However, post-COVID, it has been observed that patients in their 30s are also getting diagnosed with heart attacks.

We have diagnosed many young patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (colloquially heart attack/ sudden cardiac death) and there are numerous factors leading to this situation, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Almost 50 percent of the cardiac patients who visited the hospital during the second and third wave were aged between 30 to 40. This can create a massive health crisis in our society, as it is an indicator of the fact that cardiac issues are not limited to any age group but are also prevalent among young people.

The medical records of such patients showcased that at some point, they were affected by COVID-19. People aged around 50s mostly take daily medications like Statins, Anti-hypertensives, Aspirin, etc which can protect them from acute coronary artery disease. However, people aged in their 30s usually don't consume any preventive medications and hence are vulnerable to cardiac problems. The fundamental reason behind such occurrence is that the plugs in the coronary artery rupture can create a thrombus that catalyzes the risk of cardiac arrest. Additionally, post-COVID-19, such complications are highly evident among people of young adult age groups as well. 

It has also been reported in the 'Nature' that effects of Corona infection are also transmitted to the heart, particularly in Coronary Artery and that can participate in a coronary event even 6-12 months after COVID-19 infection. Therefore, those who have been infected with COVID-19 should have a cardiac evaluation after recovery.

DR. SHUVANAN RAY

Director - Interventional Cardiology / Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)