Stroke and heart attack now affect adolescents
It was in the pages ofThe European Heart Journal(1) that at the same time last year, an article highlighted an impressive figure: four million people a year in Europeare victims of cardiovascular diseases. These pathologies, which affect the heart and vessels, lead to strokes and cardiac arrest.
Nick Townsend, from the famous University of Oxford, is one of the authors of the study. He explains that the ever-increasing development of obesity does not help these high figures.
One year later, it is via the journal “The Lancet”(2) that a new study publishes even more appallingand problematic data: it is now adolescents who are the victims of cardiovascular diseases … as unlikely as it may seem.
Serious pathologies that occur earlier and earlier
Generally heart disease occurs around sixty, when the subject practices less physical activity, his arterial vessels have been damaged, stiffened, “atherosclerosis” and his heart has weakened.
But it is clear that the population lives younger various experiences. This is how teenagers smoke and drink younger and younger, they become sedentary, prefer video games and computers over physical activity, eat at any time, badly, too sweetly, too salty and they have a stressful, too hectic lifestyle.
This study, presented as the largest of its kind, analyzes 170,000 young teens between 12 and 15 years old, and this in 65 countries.
The researchers considered five risk factors:
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol consumption
- Low fruit and vegetable consumption
- Physical activity
- Obesity
It should be noted that, for the heart, smoking remains the most harmful risk factor compared to, for example, eating little or no fruits and vegetables.
The results of the study are striking: less than half of young people have two of the risk factors listed, with a more marked exposure among adolescents in Oceania. Conversely, in Southeast Asia, teens have few risk factors. In addition, behavioural factors are involved in heart health such as diabetes or hypertension.
Thus, it is useful to limit the intake of sugar such as that found in sodas, pastries, chocolate; industrialized products rich in fat such as ready-to-eat ready meals or pizzas, chips, cold cuts… On the other hand, it is necessaryto practice a regular sports activity, sometimes intensive with a more “zen” activity such as yoga or Chinese gymnastics.
Obvious parental responsibility
In another study, which dates from 2013, it was found that children born to obese mothers are more likely to suffer from stroke risks (3)tag. The “British Medical Journal” warns its reader in its writings against the galloping obesity epidemic which will invade Europe and the whole world within a few decades. It is clear that things have not improved for two years.
Still, the risk of premature death is a third higher among subjects born to obese mothers, with an increased risk of hospitalization for diseases such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke . It is not uncommon to see young children who are already overweight.
Thanks to these studies, we see that the years pass but that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death ahead of respiratory diseases and cancers.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.