Young adults between 20 and 40 should begin taking preventive measures against stroke and heart attack now, according to the latest recommendations from the American Heart Association.
"Cardiovascular disease prevention is no longer something to postpone until old age", shared Doctor Estelle Jean, a cardiology specialist at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Maryland, United States.
She emphasized that while individuals may feel perfectly healthy in their 20s or 30s, many risk factors are often silently developing. Doctor Jean urged this age group to understand their current blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, enabling them to take early action to prevent heart conditions.
According to Doctor Jean, one in two adults over 20 has high blood pressure. "Normal blood pressure is defined as below 120/80 mmHg. However, recent hypertension guidelines define high blood pressure as readings exceeding 130/80 mmHg", she added.
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Devoting at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) each week to moderate-intensity exercise helps prevent cardiovascular problems. Photo: Press Foto |
To help identify risk, experts currently recommend that all adults undergo a "lipoprotein(a)" cholesterol test. This test measures the concentration of a genetically determined lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood.
"This indicator remains relatively stable throughout life, so new guidelines recommend checking it at least once", Doctor Jean stated.
Unhealthy eating habits in the 20s and 30s can lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doctor Jean advises everyone to treat food as medicine: prioritize fresh fruits and vegetables, and minimize saturated fats.
Additionally, she encourages patients to dedicate at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) each week to moderate-intensity exercise. This schedule can be broken down into 30-minute sessions, five times a week, combined with strength training at least two times a week.
In some cases, doctors determine that lifestyle changes alone are insufficient to prevent cardiovascular problems.
"For certain patients, especially those at high risk, we initiate medication earlier to prevent disease", Doctor Jean shared. She believes there are many solutions we can implement, from maintaining a healthy lifestyle to achieving appropriate weight control, all of which contribute significantly to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
By My Y, reporting via WTOP
