On 29/6, representatives from E Hospital reported that electrocardiogram and echocardiogram results indicated multiple signs of acute myocardial ischemia in the patient. Angiography revealed complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery and chronic obstructive lesions in the right coronary artery.

"This is a very severe lesion, rarely seen in a 25-year-old," stated Doctor Nguyen The Huy, Deputy Head of the Adult Cardiology Department, Heart Center.

Doctors diagnosed the patient with a heart attack. The intervention team urgently re-opened the coronary artery, restoring blood flow to the heart, rapidly improving the chest pain, and stabilizing the patient's hemodynamics. After two days of treatment, the patient's health stabilized.

The young man had been smoking since he was 15. Doctors believe this was a primary cause of the heart attack, advising the patient to quit smoking completely, change his lifestyle, take medication regularly, and attend follow-up appointments.

Angiogram of the patient's blocked artery. *Photo courtesy of E Hospital*.

According to Doctor Huy, heart attacks typically occur in middle-aged and elderly individuals due to atherosclerosis developing over many years. However, in recent years, hospitals have observed an increasing number of heart attack cases among younger people. The age of onset is trending younger, with many patients under 40.

A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is suddenly blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. During a heart attack, every minute leads to more heart muscle cell necrosis. If patients arrive at the hospital late or do not receive timely emergency care, several dangerous complications can arise. These include life-threatening arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac death, cardiogenic shock due to impaired heart pumping function, prolonged chronic heart failure, cardiac rupture or interventricular septal perforation, and blood clots in the heart chambers causing stroke or peripheral artery occlusion, potentially resulting in death during the acute phase. Young individuals often overlook initial warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or prolonged palpitations due to complacency.

Smoking is the most significant risk factor in this case. The patient had smoked continuously for 10 years, starting at age 15, a duration sufficient to damage the vascular endothelium, accelerate atherosclerosis, and promote clot formation.

Beyond smoking, several other factors contribute to increased risk, including: overweight, obesity, physical inactivity, diets high in saturated fat and fast food, chronic stress, dyslipidemia, undiagnosed hypertension or diabetes, frequent late nights, and excessive stimulant consumption.

Doctors advise the public, especially young people, not to be complacent about symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or reduced exercise tolerance. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, managing weight, and having regular health check-ups can help prevent cardiovascular disease early.

Thuy Quynh