EXCLUSIVE Why heart attacks are striking young people - and surprising connection to a pandemic drug
Every year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack and the CDC estimates one American has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
In 2024, it was estimated that approximately 695,000 Americans died of heart disease
However, more and more young people are experiencing the deadly episodes, with heart attacks among 18- to 44-year-olds increasing 66 percent between 2019 and 2023.
Roughly 0.3 percent of Americans in that age group had a heart attack in 2019 - but in 2023 that rose to 0.5 percent, or one in 200.
While that may still seem like a relatively low number, it means one in five heart attack patients are younger than 40, something doctors call 'alarming.'
Now, a top cardiologist has revealed to DailyMail.com four reasons heart attacks are surging in young and healthy people.
Dr Evan Levine, a cardiologist at a major university hospital told this website heart attacks among young people may be on the rise because of things like drug abuse and stress.
Prescription drug abuse
Dr Levine said he believes one of the leading causes of heart attacks is abuse of prescription medications, including amphetamines like Adderall and methylphenidate such as Ritalin - both used to manage ADHD.
Adderall - a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - can increase the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events when misused, as noted by the American College of Cardiology.
The medication, which is taken by over 16million adults in the US, increases attention and decreases hyperactivity in ADHD patients by increasing levels of dopamine (described as the feel-good hormone) in the brain.
Despite being a commonly prescribed treatment, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency classifies Adderall as a Schedule II drug, the same status as cocaine - meaning they both have a high potential to be abused.
The feeling of euphoria the medication provides can lead to tolerance or dependence - both of which can prompt a patient to take higher doses of Adderall to achieve its effects.
This can cause an addiction to the medication over time. Some common signs of Adderall abuse include increased heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, sweating, restlessness and dilated pupils.
At times, the medication can also constrict blood vessels and hamper blood flow which in turn, can increase the heart rate and blood pressure and increase chances of having an attack.
Excessive intake of Adderall can increase the risks of having a stroke or a heart attack as it can increase the overall heart rate and blood pressure higher than the baseline.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an emergency condition where the wall of a coronary artery tears, potentially leading to a heart attack.
It is commonly seen in young woman and most times, after they give birth, Dr Levine told this website.
While the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation and possible underlying conditions like fibromuscular dysplasia (abnormal growth of tissue within the walls of medium and large arteries) are suspected.
A tear in the artery wall can allow blood to pool between the layers of the heart and obstruct blood flow to the organ.
This interruption of blood supply can deprive the heart muscles of oxygen and other essential nutrients, which can lead to damage and a heart attack.
Dr Levine said it is essential that experts find 'more sensitive methods' to detect SCAD in young people to avoid cases of heart attacks.
Obesity
More than 100 million or 40.3 percent of Americans are suffering from obesity across the country.
And studies estimate over 370,000 deaths per year in the US are linked to excessive body weight.
Obesity can raise cholesterol and blood pressure and lead to Type 2 diabetes - all of which increase risks for heart attacks.
Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher need more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to their bodies, which forces the heart to beat with more pressure to keep up.
Extra weight also gives the body volume, which creates more resistance for the heart to overcome as it pumps.
The larger volume and increased resistance can result in the heart having to work much harder almost all the time. Since the organ is made of only muscle, the increased workload can cause pressure in the walls and increase blood pressure.
High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attack and is the leading cause of death in obese individuals.
Recently, a group of researchers from across the globe found performing at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity over the span of two days had similar health benefits as to working out the entire week.
People who only exercised on two days had a 32 percent lower risk of death from all causes, a 31 percent lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 21 percent lower risk of dying from cancer.
The American Heart Association recommends adults engage in moderate-intensity aerobic activity for about 150 minutes per week, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.
Crime-related stress
Stress can have a major impact on health - from affecting sleep to raising blood pressure, not getting enough shut eye can be dangerous.
And while work-related stress has often been the focus, Dr Levine told DailyMail.com that stress from crime may be a major contributor to early heart attacks.
The cardiologist told DailyMail.com 'society has fallen apart over a number of years with fear of crime in so many [people]', which can lead to stress in the body and affect heart health.
While the 2024 FBI crime report suggests a decrease in violent crimes including murder, homicide and car jackings, a study by Statista suggests 64 percent of Americans feel like there is more crime now in the country now than in recent years.
Personal experiences, shared stories of near-death due to rampant crime and mass hysteria can have a psychological, emotional and physical impact on the human body.
This can lead to stress responses ranging from anxiety and fear to more long-term conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
While stress itself cannot directly cause a heart attack, it can significantly contribute to the risk by increasing blood pressure and affecting blood flow, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke.
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