For years, heart attack risk factors have been studied in adults of all ages. However, a new Yale-led study has identified which risk factors are more likely to trigger a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men and women 55 years and younger. The study, which was published in the journal AMA Network Open, looked at data from nearly 5,000 adults, with half of the participants having experienced an AMI.
Researchers discovered significant sex differences in the risk factors associated with heart attacks. Seven risk factors, including diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, smoking, family history of AMI, low household income, and high cholesterol, were all associated with a greater risk of AMI in women. However, the highest associations were found to be with hypertension, diabetes, depression, and poverty. Among men, current smoking and family history of AMI were the leading risk factors.
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These findings suggest that a sex-specific preventive strategy is needed to reduce the incidence of heart attacks in young adults. Some of the possible interventions that could be implemented include targeted screenings for hypertension and diabetes in women and educational campaigns on the signs and symptoms of heart attacks. In addition, more research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms behind these sex differences to develop even more targeted and effective interventions.
The study’s lead author said, “In the past, we found that young women, but not older women, have a twice higher risk of dying after an AMI than similarly aged men. In this new study, we now identified significant differences in risk factor profiles and risk factor associations with AMI by sex.”
This study’s findings will help doctors better identify which patients are at a higher risk for heart attacks. This information is essential for younger patients, as they are often not considered to be at increased risk for heart attacks even though they may have several risk factors. By identifying these risk factors early on, doctors can take steps to prevent heart attacks.
Keeping A Healthy Heart
Lifestyle factors go a long way to help protect the heart and keep it strong and healthy. Getting plenty of exercise, eating right, and giving your body the proper vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive is essential.
Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10. The omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in cardiovascular function, while CoQ10 is involved in energy production at the cellular level.
These two heart superstars are supported by five other ingredients that can help to promote and support cardiovascular function as you age. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
