Heart attacks are often associated with older adults, but these serious medical emergencies can, in rare instances, affect teenagers. Recognizing this uncommon but serious event is a step toward ensuring timely intervention and potentially saving a life.
Understanding Heart Attacks in Teenagers
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked. This blockage typically happens due to a buildup of fatty deposits, called plaques, in the coronary arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form, impeding blood flow, damaging heart muscle due to lack of oxygen. While heart attacks are extremely rare in individuals aged 15 to 24, they can occur, often linked to an underlying heart condition or specific risk factors.
Key Contributing Factors
Several factors can increase a teenager’s susceptibility to a heart attack, primarily underlying conditions. Congenital heart defects, conditions present at birth that affect the heart’s anatomy or blood flow, can predispose them to a heart attack. Inherited heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes a thickening of the heart muscle, or anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery (AAOCA), also contribute. Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a rare genetic disorder causing extremely high cholesterol levels from an early age, can lead to coronary artery disease in teenagers.
Acquired conditions such as complications from Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory illness affecting young children, can also increase risk by causing inflammation, enlargement, or narrowing of the coronary arteries. Lifestyle choices also play a role; being inactive can lead to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all risk factors for heart attacks. An unbalanced diet, smoking, and the use of certain substances like stimulants also contribute to heart problems in adolescents.
Identifying Warning Signs
Symptoms of a heart attack in teenagers can sometimes be subtle or differ from those typically seen in adults, making recognition challenging. The most common symptom is chest pain, which might be described as pressure, tightness, squeezing, or aching in the center or left side of the chest, lasting for several minutes or recurring. This discomfort can also spread to other areas, including the jaw, neck, back, arms (often the left), or even the upper abdomen.
Teenagers may also experience shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting (especially during exercise), nausea, vomiting, or unexplained fatigue, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms. A cold sweat or an overwhelming feeling of anxiety can also be present. Prompt medical attention is necessary if a heart attack is suspected.
Immediate Actions and Prevention
If a teenager is suspected of having a heart attack, immediate action is needed. Call emergency services without delay. While waiting for medical help, encourage the person to remain calm and still, preferably in a seated position. If the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing or has no pulse, and if you are trained, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Hands-only CPR, involving continuous hard and fast chest compressions, can be performed by untrained individuals at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
Preventative measures for teenagers largely focus on promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods, unhealthy fats, and excessive sugar. Regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly, is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Avoiding smoking, vaping, and substance use is also important to protect heart health. Routine medical check-ups can also help screen for and manage underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, which are risk factors that can be addressed early.