Men are at a significantly higher risk of heart attacks than women, with the threat emerging as early as their mid-30s, according to a new study from Northwestern University.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University reveals that men face the risk of heart attacks seven years earlier than women, beginning in their mid-30s. This finding underscores the necessity for earlier cardiovascular screening for men.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), analyzed data from over 5,000 adults aged 18 to 30, collected from the mid-1980s through 2020. This research was part of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.
According to the findings, men reached a 5% incidence of cardiovascular disease—including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure—around the age of 50, while women did not reach this threshold until approximately age 57. The primary contributor to this disparity was coronary heart disease, which occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked. Notably, men experienced a 2% incidence of this condition more than a decade earlier than women. In contrast, the risks associated with stroke and heart failure appeared later in life.
The study indicates that men’s risk of developing heart disease begins to rise significantly around age 35 and remains elevated throughout midlife. All participants in the study were under 65 years old at the time of the last follow-up. Current guidelines typically recommend cardiovascular risk assessments starting at age 40, a practice some experts argue may overlook a critical window for early prevention.
Heart disease develops over many years, with early indicators becoming detectable in young adulthood. Senior study author Alexa Freedman, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of promoting heart health screenings and preventive measures in young adulthood, particularly for young men.
Freedman stated, “Our findings highlight the importance of promoting heart health screening and prevention in young adulthood, especially for young men.” The researchers advocate for a more comprehensive approach to assessing heart risk, suggesting that it should extend beyond standard measures such as cholesterol and blood pressure to include a wider range of biological and social factors.
Dr. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology at National Jewish Health in Denver, commented on the study’s findings, noting that it aligns with existing knowledge that men tend to experience heart attacks and strokes earlier than women. Although the study did not pinpoint the reasons for this predisposition, Freeman suggested that hormonal differences, dietary habits, and levels of physical activity could all contribute.
“The standard American lifestyle makes us all sick, and men seem to be more prone to developing this disease earlier,” Freeman remarked. He further noted that modern exposures to environmental toxins, such as those found in the food supply, as well as air, light, and sound pollution, are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Freeman also highlighted that lifestyle factors such as increased sedentary behavior, inadequate sleep, heightened stress levels, and reduced social connections can exacerbate cardiovascular issues. “I think this study is really underscoring that it’s time for some big changes,” he said.
To mitigate heart health risks, Freeman recommends addressing any existing comorbidities, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. He suggests that individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular events may benefit from earlier screening, although he believes that early preventive measures should be applied universally.
“Coronary disease is manifesting earlier than ever here in the U.S., and we need to do everything we can to clean up our lifestyles and reduce our disease burden,” Freeman concluded. “If you’re a man, you’ve got to be extra aggressive earlier in life.”
These findings highlight the critical need for awareness and proactive measures in heart health, particularly among young men, to combat the rising incidence of cardiovascular disease.
According to Fox News, the study serves as a call to action for both individuals and healthcare providers to prioritize heart health from a younger age.