on world heart day we get experts to tell you how youngsters can prevent heart ailments if you think that heart disease affects only people over 50 heres something you need to read one of the biggest misconceptions that the general public has is that heart disease only happens to the elderly however studies say that there is no particular age which is immune to a heart attack the current observation of multidisciplinary bodies has shown that heart attacks are seen at a relatively younger age these days there is an alarming rise of heart problems in younger people in their 20s 30s and 40s some have suffered from heart attacks and require angioplasty and bypass surgery at a very young age says consultant interventional cardiologist dr vijay surasecauses a variety of genetic factors make one prone to heart disease at an early age genetic predisposition to heart attacks high cholesterol levels socalled familial hypercholesterolemia diabetes hypertension in the young and some cases of hypothyroidism are some causes some of the specific risk factors include high homocysteine levels and high levels of lipoprotein smalla as well as lousy cholesterol all patients above 25 should at least once get extended lipid profiles tested so that complete information on the cholesterol makeup of the body is available adds dr surase a decrease in participation in active sports or outdoor activities regularly indulging in fast food also contributes to the development of heart disease and attacks at a much younger age group he says smoking causes sludging of blood narrowing of coronary arteries and causes platelets in the blood to become extremely sticky so that at the slightest provocation a measure of broad forms in the coronary arteries resulting in 100 per cent blockage of the coronary arteries and a myocardial infarction or heart attack people under extreme stress are at increased risk for heart disease even if they do not have a family history of the same when youre very stressed there are chemicals that are released that cause blood pressure to surge and the heart rate to go up cells called platelets develop a tendency to clump together and this sets up a series of reactions that could enhance the process of plaque or clot formation in the blood vessel artery of heart this leads to heart problemstreatment when a heart attack occurs in a younger person a procedure like angioplasty is recommended leaving a procedure like bypass surgery in reserve for a later date if required one needs to be more aggressive in the treatment options stricter in lifestyle modification intervention and maintain cholesterol levelsregular screeningsscreening is an important way to prevent heart trouble the earlier you start screening and treating it the more disease you can prevent that means getting your blood pressure sugar and cholesterol checked at appropriate times adults 25 years and older should have their cholesterol screened and be screened for diabetes starting in the 20s high blood pressure checks should also