Decreasing age of onset for heart disease raises concerns
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Although heart disease usually strikes women 10 years later than men, its onset is becoming increasingly common at a younger age in this country, said Head of the 8th International Iranian Heart Failure in Iran, Babak Sharif-Kashani, a cardiologist and faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.
In an exclusive interview with Iran Daily reporter, Sharif-Kashani explained that women who develop other risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are just as likely to develop heart disease at a younger age as men.
He added that high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart valve diseases are among the causes of heart failure, and that even some lung, kidney, and liver diseases can contribute to heart disease.
The expert stressed that the most important issue in preventing heart failure is identifying and preventing the underlying causes.
He noted that the causes of heart failure vary across different age groups, with children being less likely to develop heart failure, which is often related to heart muscle problems or structural heart defects. In contrast, older adults are more likely to develop heart failure due to factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Sharif-Kashani also highlighted the significant impact of smoking on the risk of heart failure, warning that all smokers are at risk of developing heart disease. Unfortunately, the age of smoking onset has decreased in the country, and the number of smokers has increased.
According to Sharif-Kashani, approximately 27 million people worldwide suffer from heart failure, a number that is expected to rise as the global population ages. A sedentary lifestyle, high stress levels, and air pollution also contribute to the increasing risk of heart disease.
The 8th International Iranian Heart Failure in Iran will be held from December 27 to 29 at Shahid Beheshti University, featuring 90 Iranian experts and 10 international speakers from Italy, France, Germany, the Persian Gulf region, Spain, Turkey, Iraq, and Hungary. They will discuss various topics related to heart failure and cardiovascular diseases.
Vahid Eslami, the executive secretary of the congress, discussed the state of heart disease in Iran, stating that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, accounting for 40% of all deaths, up from 20% a decade ago. After heart disease, road accidents and cancer are the next leading causes of death in Iran.
Eslami noted that one in five Iranians dies from heart disease, with approximately 160,000 deaths per year.
He warned that the cardiovascular disease starting age has decreased to 35, making it no longer a rare occurrence at this age.
Regarding the decreasing age of first stroke, Eslami cautioned that approximately 40% of Iranian students are overweight or obese, increasing their risk of developing heart disease.
He emphasized that this is a warning sign for the future, as these students are at a higher risk of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.