Warning as 47% of under-45s have no idea they’re at risk of silent killer – the 10 signs you must not ignore

ALMOST half of all adults don’t think they’re at risk for heart disease, research has found.

However, recent studies have found that heart attacks in people under the age of 40 have increased over the past decade.

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A rise in conditions like obesity and high blood pressure is causing heart disease at a younger age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A US poll of over 2,000 people found that 47 percent of adults under the age of 45 do not believe high blood pressure poses a health risk to them.

dr Laxmi Mehta, a cardiologist at Ohio State University, said it was “alarming” that younger people didn’t feel they were at risk for heart disease, but “not surprising”.

“Most young people think that heart disease only occurs in old people, but that’s not the case,” she said.

Every fifth heart attack patient is younger than 40 years.

And between the years 2000-2016, heart attack rates in this young age group increased by 2 percent each year, according to the American College of Cardiology.

“It’s important to address risk factors for heart disease at an early age because when conditions are treated at an earlier age, you can slow the progression or onset of heart disease development,” added Dr. Laxmi added.

The Ohio State study found that about a third of respondents were not confident they would know if they were going to have a heart attack.

Recognizing even the subtlest signs of a heart attack and seeking help right away can be life-saving, said Dr. Laxmi.

The expert urges young people to visit their GP “every year” to stay one step ahead of any problems.

“Your doctor will look for warning signs like high blood pressure and do blood tests to track your cholesterol levels so any changes over time can be flagged,” she explained.

What are the 10 most common symptoms of a heart attack?

according to dr Laxmi these are the signs you might be having a heart attack:

1. Chest pressure, tightness or fullness
2. Bruising, pain, or discomfort in the middle of the chest that lasts for minutes and sometimes radiates to the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw
3. Chest pain that increases in intensity or that is not relieved by rest
4. Chest pain that occurs when you sweat
5. fainting or dizziness
6. shortness of breath
7. indigestion, nausea or vomiting
8. Unexplained weakness or tiredness
9. Cool clammy skin
10. paleness