08/07/2019
Myth: Heart disease Only Happens to Older People
Fact: While your risk for some heart problems gets higher as you age, heart conditions can affect anyone, no matter how old they are. Some heart problems are congenital, or present at birth, and may be diagnosed shortly after a baby is born or later in life when they cause symptoms. Other conditions, like cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), heart valve problems, and heart rhythm problems can happen to anyone at any age.
It’s also important to remember that the choices you make at a younger age — like your diet, activity level, and whether you smoke — will affect your heart as you get older. By making heart-healthy choices when you’re young, you can get into the habit of eating well, getting regular physical activity, finding healthy ways to cope with stress, and keeping regular appointments with your doctor to make sure you get the recommended screenings.
