Why heart attack rates for millennials and Gen Zers continue to climb

This article was posted on Priority Health’s Think Health blog. Read more here. 

Heart attacks have increased a whopping 30% for Americans under the age of 45. One report from the American College of Cardiology said that heart attacks among those 40 and younger have been rising 2% per year since 2009.

“It used to be rare to see anyone younger than 40 have a heart attack, but unfortunately that is changing,” said Dr. David Rzeszutko, vice president of clinical and medical operations at Priority Health. “We’re attributing that to an increase in sedentary lifestyles among the younger generations.”

A Duke University study points to widespread obesity, diabetes and hypertension as the culprit to the rising rates of heart disease among the younger population.

Despite all the medical advancements in the last century, millennials and Gen Zers are known to be less healthy than their parents and grandparents at the same age.

Factors contributing to this trend include changes in diet, increased screen time, less physical activity and environmental factors that result in childhood obesity that lingers into adulthood.

“There is expanding literature about how stress is up in younger folks contributing to hypertension and poor health choices like overeating in response to stress,” added Dr. Rzeszutko.

The good news is that the younger population doesn’t have to be a victim to this trend and can make crucial lifestyle changes that promote heart health, as well as increase longevity.

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