- Younger adults may face higher risks of cardiovascular disease due to factors like obesity or inactivity.
- Three younger individuals share their journeys with cardiovascular disease and the steps they take to stay heart healthy.
- Experts explain why cardiovascular disease can occur in younger individuals and how adopting certain lifestyle habits can help maintain a strong and healthy heart.
Yet, older adults aren’t the only individuals comprising this statistic; younger adults are affected as well.
Blair Suter, MD, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explained the factors driving these early onset cases.
- managing high blood pressure
- managing diabetes
- maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- smoking cessation
- maintaining a healthy weight
- getting proper sleep
- exercising regularly (including both cardio and resistance training)
- eating a healthy, balanced diet emphasizing whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins
“One of the areas that I have made the most impact in patients’ lives is my meeting them where they are to encourage movement and find ways that people can be active,” Suter said.
“It’s important to follow the advice of a doctor for medication therapy as well as work with your doctor or others to engage in a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of worsening heart disease,” he added.
Since heart disease is all too common in younger adults, Healthline spoke with three individuals who’ve been affected to raise awareness about early onset and inspire others to pay attention to their heart health.
Each of the following cardiovascular disease survivors experienced the traditional risk factor of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, which quietly raised their risk profiles for certain heart conditions.
While each person maintains their cholesterol levels with medication, they also practice healthy lifestyle habits to keep their hearts strong.
Crystal Davis, 52
Davis was 48 when she was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and LDL-C.
“I had pain in my chest and back, went to the ER, and was told I wasn’t having a heart attack but checked with my cardiologist,” she said.
Because she already had high blood pressure, her doctor ran labs and performed an ultrasound that found a small blockage in her carotid artery.
In addition to medication, Davis maintains healthy living through diet, exercise, and “happiness.”
She is in medical school administration and, as a health advocate for the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health, she shares her story to inspire others to prioritize heart health, prevention, and awareness.
“[I like] letting others see they are not alone [and encouraging them] to be proactive and watch [their] numbers,” she said. “Educate yourself on a healthy lifestyle.”
Ally Lavalley, 36
In addition to treatment, she utilizes HEB Meal Simples, which helps her create a meal plan while navigating work and caring for her children.
She also walks a lot and moves heavy packages regularly for work.
“I also make use of the indoor track at work to get in my steps. I turn on a true crime podcast and walk for 30 minutes,” Lavalley said.
She advocates with the Family Heart Foundation and PACH to empower others, and even shared her story on Capitol Hill to advocate for health legislation. She especially wants Latinas to know their risks by knowing their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and to demand answers about their health.
“Working in partnership with your physician, you can develop a game plan for lowering your risk of cardiovascular events whether it be through lifestyle changes or medications,” she said.
“The Latin American community is a matriarchal community — our women are mothers, sisters, tías, abuelas — we take care of the family. The best way to take care of our families is to take care of ourselves so we can be there for years to come.”
Chad Witheridge, 42
While running his daughter’s soccer tournament, Witheridge suffered a major heart attack on the field.
“I felt dizzy, nauseous, and had bad discomfort. It progressed into feeling like someone hit me with a metal bar on my back,” he said. “A friend took me to the fire station. I was upgraded to 100% blockage on my way to the hospital.”
“I also share my story on a regular basis to others, and it helps me discuss other real-life events with my care team to help the fight against heart disease,” Witheridge said.
He wants others to get their cholesterol checked regularly and to ask their family members about their heart history.
“I do not want another family to go through what my family had to go through,” he said.
