They’re usually associated with middle-aged and elderly people — but heart attacks are striking young Americans at alarming levels.

In 2019, only 0.3 percent of adults in this specific age bracket had encountered a heart attack. Fast forward to 2023, and that number jumped to 0.5 percent, representing a significant increase of more than 66 percent in just four years.

It means that one in five heart attack patients are now younger than 40. 

Some experts have pointed to the Covid virus as a possible cause due to the strain it puts on the heart and its link to blood flow issues.

Conspiracy theorists have also linked the rise to the Covid vaccines, though there is no evidence linking the shots to widespread heart attacks. 

Now, a top cardiologist has revealed to DailyMail.com four factors he blames, based on the literature and his experience in the clinic.

Dr. Evan Levin, a cardiologist practicing at Mount Sinai hospital in New York, pointed out a noticeable change in the use of prescribed medications among young individuals, which may be contributing to this trend.

Heart attacks among 18- to 44-year-olds increased 66 percent between 2019 and 2023

Prescription drug abuse 

Instances of Adderall and Ritalin prescriptions saw a sharp 14 percent spike during the pandemic. This surge was primarily fueled by the rapid growth of telemedicine platforms and the easing of regulations, making it more convenient to secure prescriptions through virtual consultations.

Between 2019 and 2022, roughly 5.9 million new stimulant scripts were written.

The increase was especially pronounced among young adults aged 20 to 39, who experienced a 30 percent rise in Schedule II stimulant prescriptions during that time.

According to Dr. Levine, this dramatic spike in usage ‘undoubtedly played a role’ in the rise in heart attacks observed within this age group.

Adderall – a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – can increase the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events when misused, as noted by the American College of Cardiology. 

Pictured: Dr Evan Levine, a cardiologist at a major university hospital

The medication, which is taken by over 16million adults in the US, increases attention and decreases hyperactivity in ADHD patients by increasing levels of dopamine (described as the feel-good hormone) in the brain. 

Despite being a commonly prescribed treatment, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency classifies Adderall as a Schedule II drug, the same status as cocaine – meaning they both have a high potential to be abused. 

The feeling of euphoria the medication provides can lead to tolerance or dependence – both of which can prompt a patient to take higher doses of Adderall to achieve its effects. 

This can cause an addiction to the medication over time. Some common signs of Adderall abuse include increased heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, sweating, restlessness and dilated pupils. 

At times, the medication can also constrict blood vessels and hamper blood flow which in turn, can increase the heart rate and blood pressure and increase chances of having an attack. 

Excessive intake of Adderall can increase the risks of having a stroke or a heart attack as it can increase the overall heart rate and blood pressure higher than the baseline. 

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection 

A tear in the artery wall can allow blood to pool between the layers of the organ and obstruct blood flow to the heart

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an emergency condition where the wall of a coronary artery tears, potentially leading to a heart attack. 

It is commonly seen in young woman and most times, after they give birth, Dr Levine told this website. 

While the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation and possible underlying conditions like fibromuscular dysplasia (abnormal growth of tissue within the walls of medium and large arteries) are suspected. 

SCAD is becoming more prevalent, especially among younger adults and women for reasons still being understood.

Over the past 25 years, studies have shown a clear rise in SCAD cases, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentations.

A tear in the artery wall can allow blood to pool between the layers of the heart and obstruct blood flow to the organ.

This interruption of blood supply can deprive the heart muscles of oxygen and other essential nutrients, which can lead to damage and a heart attack.

Dr Levine said it is essential that experts find ‘more sensitive methods’ to detect SCAD in young people to avoid cases of heart attacks.

Crime-related stress 

 Personal experiences, shared stories of near-death due to rampant crime and mass hysteria can cause psychological, emotional and physical impact on the human body

Stress can have a major impact on health – from affecting sleep to raising blood pressure, not getting enough shut eye can be dangerous.

And while work-related stress has often been the focus, Dr Levine told DailyMail.com that stress from crime may be a major contributor to early heart attacks.  

The cardiologist told DailyMail.com ‘society has fallen apart over a number of years with fear of crime in so many [people]’, which can lead to stress in the body and affect heart health. 

While the 2024 FBI crime report suggests a decrease in violent crimes including murder, homicide and car jackings, a study by Statista suggests 64 percent of Americans feel like there is more crime now in the country now than in recent years. 

Personal experiences, shared stories of near-death due to rampant crime and mass hysteria can have a psychological, emotional and physical impact on the human body. 

This can lead to stress responses ranging from anxiety and fear to more long-term conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

While stress itself cannot directly cause a heart attack, it can significantly contribute to the risk by increasing blood pressure and affecting blood flow, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke.

Obesity 

More than 100 million or 40.3 percent of Americans are suffering from obesity across the country. 

And studies estimate over 370,000 deaths per year in the US are linked to excessive body weight. 

Obesity can raise cholesterol and blood pressure and lead to Type 2 diabetes – all of which increase risks for heart attacks.

Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher need more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to their bodies, which forces the heart to beat with more pressure to keep up. 

Extra weight also gives the body volume, which creates more resistance for the heart to overcome as it pumps. 

The larger volume and increased resistance can result in the heart having to work much harder almost all the time. Since the organ is made of only muscle, the increased workload can cause pressure in the walls and increase blood pressure. 

High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attack and is the leading cause of death in obese individuals. 

Recently, a group of researchers from across the globe found performing at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity over the span of two days had similar health benefits as to working out the entire week. 

People who only exercised on two days had a 32 percent lower risk of death from all causes, a 31 percent lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 21 percent lower risk of dying from cancer. 

The American Heart Association recommends adults engage in moderate-intensity aerobic activity for about 150 minutes per week, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.