Teens likely to die younger of heart disease

A new study has revealed that teens of today are more likely to die of heart disease at a younger age than adults. The Northwestern Medicine research took a complete snapshot of adolescent cardiovascular health in the United States. "We are all born with ideal cardiovascular health, but right now we are looking at the loss of that health in youth. Their future is bleak," said Donald Lloyd-Jones, M.D., chair and associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and senior investigator of the study. The effect of this worsening teen health is already being seen in young adults. For the first time, there is an increase in cardiovascular mortality rates in younger adults ages 35 to 44, particularly in women, noted Lloyd-Jones. The alarming health profiles of 5,547 children and adolescents, ages 12 to 19, reveal many have high blood sugar levels, are obese or overweight, have a lousy diet, don't get enough physical activity and even smoke, according to study reports. "What was most alarming about the findings of this study is that zero children or adolescents surveyed met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health," said lead study author Christina Shay. "These data indicate ideal cardiovascular health is being lost as early as, if not earlier than the teenage years," she added. The study was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando.