I’m Too Young for This: Heart Disease Risk Increasing in People Under 40
James Grant, M.D.
| 3 min read
James D. Grant, M.D., is executive vice president an...
Key Takeaways
- Conditions that raise the risk of heart disease include obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
- As heart disease is increasing in individuals under 40, so are heart attacks.
- When heart disease risk factors arise in adults under 40, the chance of developing heart disease becomes long-term.
- Preventive care visits can detect issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol early in development, enabling appropriate treatment before conditions become serious.
Among the health trends seen in the United States lately is one that the under 40 crowd most likely does not want to join – that of increased heart disease risk and incidence of heart attacks among individuals in this age group.
Studies over the last decade have found that heart disease among people under 40 is rising because of the increase in several conditions that raise the risk of heart disease including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Studies show a trend
For example, a study published in 2023 in JAMA looked at the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in nearly 13,000 adults between the ages of 20 – 44. The study examined if and how the prevalence changed over an 11-year period. Researchers found that both obesity and diabetes have increased significantly. Within the study group, high blood pressure was highest among Black adults and rates of high blood pressure increased among Hispanic and Mexican American adults.
An Epic Research study, published in 2024, examined 13 years of clinical data of 25,402,650 patients between the ages of 18-39 who had a new diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. The incidence of cardiovascular disease doubled in those with no history of smoking and tripled in those who did have a history of smoking.
As heart disease is increasing in individuals under 40, so are heart attacks. A 2019 study noted that over a 16-year period, among those 50 and younger with heart attacks, the proportion of those under 40 increased, rising by 2 percent each year for the last 10 years of the study.
Long term risk factors for heart disease
When heart disease risk factors — like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and smoking — arise in adults under 40, the chance of developing heart disease becomes long-term.
In a study published in JAMA in 2025, researchers found that about one in seven adults between the ages of 30 and 59 have a 30-year risk for heart disease. The study points to the need for primary care providers to assess both short-term and long-term cardiovascular risk and help younger adult patients develop longer-term prevention plans as needed.
When heart disease prevention plans can be put in place early on, individuals can lower their risk of developing heart disease.
Prevention and lifestyle modifications
Preventive care is essential in managing risk factors of heart disease. Annual exams with a primary care provider (PCP) can detect issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol early in development, enabling appropriate treatment before conditions become serious.
In addition, younger adults can follow healthy habits and lifestyle modifications to help prevent heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends these eight essential habits for heart health:
- Follow a nutritious diet, rich in vegetables, fruit and lean protein
- Move more – get 2.5 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week
- Do not smoke or vape
- Try for at least 7 hours or sleep each night
- Maintain a healthy weight and keep BMI under 25
- Control cholesterol and keep HDL within normal limits
- Manage blood sugar
- Control blood pressure
To begin a personalized prevention plan, talk with a PCP.
James D. Grant is Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information, visit MIBlueDaily.com.
Photo credit: Getty Images
