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Leading cause of heart attacks: Disease affecting younger individuals

Leading cause of heart attacks: Disease affecting younger individuals Illustrative photo (Photo: Freepik)
Author: Daria Shekina

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. This condition affects both young and older individuals, explains cardiologist Natalia Ivaniuk on Instagram.

How atherosclerosis manifests

A doctor states that atherosclerosis doesn't just affect one heart; practically all arteries can be impacted.

It's essential to note that atherosclerosis doesn't occur suddenly; the condition develops over many years, often exacerbated by harmful habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

The cardiologist adds that with a proper risk assessment utilizing evidence-based data and modern recommendations, fatal consequences can be anticipated.

In particular, doctors classify patients as follows:

  • Green: Low risk (everything is fine)
  • Yellow: Medium risk (requires evaluation and, if necessary, treatment)
  • Red and burgundy: High and very high risk (actively treated)

Atherosclerosis is treated with medication, but the dosage and specific drugs prescribed depend on the disease's stage.

In any case, regular check-ups and monitoring are necessary when dealing with this condition.

Key symptoms

Symptoms of atherosclerosis may include:

  • Chest and heart pain
  • Leg pain while walking
  • Back pain
  • Headaches
  • Numbness in different body parts
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Memory impairment
  • Vision problems
  • Shortness of breath
  • Increased fatigue

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.