Cardiovascular disease no longer an older adult's problem

Cardiovascular disease no longer an older adult's problem (Photo: iStock) Heart disease is fast becoming a young person's condition. Once viewed as a health concern for the middle-aged and elderly, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now increasingly affecting people under the age of 40, including in Kenya. Global and local data show a worrying rise in heart-related complications among the youth, a trend linked not to family history but largely to changes in lifestyle, diet and stress. According to a 2023 study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, almost one in five heart attacks in urban populations are now occurring in people aged 25 to 39. Many of these individuals have no genetic predisposition, highlighting the role of behavioural and environmental triggers. The World Health Organisation also reports that non-communicable diseases, including heart conditions, are the leading cause of death globally and they are striking at younger ages than ever before. In Kenya, the Ministry of Health has recognised CVD as a growing burden, especially in urban centres where fast food culture, inactivity and high stress levels are common. A 2024 National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis of data from the 2015 Kenya STEPwise survey showed that 56 per cent of Kenyans had never had their blood pressure measured, yet 24 per cent were already living with raised levels, often without symptoms. Among younger populations, many cardiovascular cases are caught late, when complications have already developed. The major causes of heart disease in young adults today are largely linked to lifestyle. Diets rich in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats particularly from fast foods and ultra-processed snacks, contribute to cholesterol buildup in the arteries. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, can begin silently in the teenage years, with plaque forming along artery walls and gradually narrowing blood flow to the heart. Lack of physical activity is another significant contributor. The Global Burden of Disease Study (2024) identified physical inactivity as one of the top five risk factors for early-onset CVD. Many young people spend long hours seated in school, at desks or in front of screens and often miss out on the minimum recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This inactivity weakens the heart muscle, increases blood pressure and raises the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are themselves major drivers of heart disease. Stress and poor sleep patterns also play a role. Irregular sleep, especially among shift workers, students or those glued to their phones late into the night, disrupts the body's hormonal balance and increases inflammation. A 2023 meta-analysis in Circulation Research found that chronic sleep deprivation leads to elevated blood pressure and promotes the hardening of arteries, even in people with otherwise normal health readings. Vaping, often perceived as a safer option to cigarette smoking, has emerged as a new threat. Research from the University of California (2024) showed that daily use of electronic nicotine devices leads to reduced blood vessel function and increased oxidative stress in the body. In Kenya, data from the Tobacco Atlas (2022) reveals that about 8.5 per cent of Kenyans aged 15-24 have used e-cigarettes, with usage more common in urban areas. A recent 2025 report from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) revealed that 31 per cent of both public and private universities used vape/e-cigarettes. Although vaping doesn't produce tar, the nicotine and flavouring chemicals still harm the cardiovascular system. What young people don't realise is that the damage to blood vessels can begin long before any symptoms show up. Symptoms of early cardiovascular disease can be subtle or non-existent. Some young people may experience chest pain, shortness of breath during activity, fatigue or palpitations. However, many cases remain silent until a more serious event, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs. This delay in diagnosis is partly why early intervention is so vital. Fortunately, the treatment and management of heart disease in young adults is possible, especially when caught early. Lifestyle changes such as adopting a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, increasing physical activity, managing stress and quitting smoking or vaping can significantly reduce risk. In some cases, medications to control blood pressure or cholesterol may be prescribed, even in young patients. Advanced diagnostic tools like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), coronary calcium scoring and cholesterol ratio testing are being used more frequently in private health facilities, though access remains a challenge in public hospitals. Prevention, however, remains the most powerful tool. Public health experts stress the importance of screening for risk factors from as early as the teenage years. Schools, colleges and workplaces can play a key role in promoting physical activity, sleep, hygiene and awareness of the dangers of processed foods and smoking alternatives. Community health outreach and policy support are equally essential in low-income and rural areas, where diagnosis often comes too late. The rise in cardiovascular disease among Kenya's youth is not just a medical issue, it's a public health wake-up call. If current trends continue, the country may see an increasing number of young people living with chronic heart conditions or dying prematurely from preventable causes. As the WHO warns, "Without intervention, the social and economic toll of cardiovascular disease in developing countries will only rise."

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