Heart attacks are increasingly lethal for younger Americans, a recent study has revealed. Researchers examined data from the National Inpatient Sample, which includes a representative cross-section of hospitalized patients. The analysis focused on adults under the age of 55 and found a troubling rise in death rates from heart attacks between 2011 and 2022, particularly among younger women.
The study highlights a significant shift in mortality trends. While advances in medical care have reduced heart attack fatalities overall, younger adults are experiencing a reversal in this progress. According to lead author Mohan Satish, a cardiology fellow at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, the findings indicate that risk factors traditionally not linked to heart attacks may be contributing to increased mortality rates in this demographic.
Trends in Heart Attack Mortality
Historically, the chances of dying from a heart attack have decreased, with a nearly 90% decline in the age-adjusted mortality rate from 1970 to 2022, as reported by previous studies. Factors such as improved medical technology, better management of heart health, and a general decline in smoking rates have contributed to this trend. Yet, the latest research suggests that these benefits have not extended equally to younger individuals, particularly women.
The research team analyzed approximately 950,000 hospitalizations, distinguishing between two major types of heart attacks: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which results from complete blockage of a coronary artery, and non-STEMI (NSTEMI), caused by partial blockage. Between 2011 and 2022, the death rate from STEMI heart attacks among those aged 18 to 55 increased by 1.2%, while the death rate for NSTEMI remained stable. Notably, 3% of women hospitalized for STEMI heart attacks died during this period compared to 2.6% of men.
Understanding the Risks
While the research cannot definitively pinpoint the reasons behind the rising death rates, it has identified several potential contributing factors. For younger men, an increase in fatal risk factors associated with heart attacks appears to be a significant concern. Both genders showed an uptick in traditional risk factors like high blood pressure, but non-traditional factors such as kidney disease and low income were found to be more closely linked to heart attack fatalities.
Interestingly, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the study period, it did not significantly influence death rates. For young women, the situation is compounded by various elements. Satish noted that women face a higher burden of non-traditional risk factors and are receiving fewer medical procedures, despite experiencing similar rates of complications compared to men.
Moreover, complications leading to increased mortality, such as cardiogenic shock during STEMI heart attacks, were found to be more prevalent among women. This disparity in treatment and outcomes underscores the need for greater awareness and tailored medical approaches for younger women at risk of heart attacks.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, emphasize the necessity for healthcare providers to engage in discussions about heart health with younger patients. “Having these discussions about non-traditional risk factors earlier is critical,” Satish stated. Recognizing and addressing these elements may help mitigate the rising mortality rates and improve outcomes for younger Americans facing heart health challenges.
