Younger Adults Less Aware of Heart Attack Risk Factors and Treatments

Younger adults are not aware of heart attack risks and about the necessary treatments required to reduce deaths due to it, revealed two new studies.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology analyzed 3,081 patients suffering from Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) who were admitted to the U.S hospitals. The patients were between the age group of 18- 55 years. They found that only 68% of individuals were aware about the risk of heart diseases and had discussed about the necessary risk modifications with their health care provider.

When compared with men, women were less likely to be aware about the risk for heart diseases and did not undergo any treatments immediately after experiencing a heart attack.

The study suggested that young adults must discuss about their risk of heart diseases with their health practitioner and also must be aware of ways to modify the risk.

Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology analyzed patients in the age group of 18-59 years who were hospitalized for ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The study found that women were more likely to stay in the hospital for a prolonged period than men.

The study also found that women with acute myocardial infarction did not present themselves for STEMI and also women who presented themselves for STEMI did not receive revascularization compared to men.

Therefore, both the studies highlighted the importance of counseling for young adults about the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases after experiencing a heart attack to reduce the mortality rates.

Reference 1: Sahil Khera; Dhaval Kolte, J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;66(18):1961-1972. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2015.08.865

Reference 2: Erica C. Leifheit-Limson; Gail D'Onofrio; J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;66(18):1949-1957. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2015.08.859

Source: Medindia