Heart health among young people in Scotland is becoming an increasing concern, with a considerable number of younger people living with chronic health conditions requiring ongoing care.
According to the Scottish Health Survey 2024, a growing proportion of the population is now affected by at least one chronic health condition, including cardiovascular diseases.
The Heart Disease Action Plan outlines key priorities for reducing preventable heart disease and ensuring equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, and care for individuals with suspected heart disease in Scotland.
Maintaining good heart health is vital from an early age. Although heart disease is often associated with older adults, risk factors can begin to develop in youth. Establishing habits such as regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking plays a significant role in supporting cardiovascular wellbeing during adolescence and early adulthood.
Young people should be mindful of the importance of managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and ensuring sufficient sleep. Regular check-ups can help detect potential issues early, and education about heart health empowers individuals to make informed choices. By fostering healthy behaviours and awareness, the likelihood of developing heart problems later in life can be significantly reduced.
Alcohol and energy drinks
Too often our younger generation of farmers turn to energy drinks for a boost, especially during busy periods on the farm. However, consuming energy drinks excessively can pose substantial risks to heart health as the combination of caffeine and sugar in these drinks can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Young people should be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption. There is no completely safe level of alcohol a person can drink, but the NHS recommends if you do drink alcohol, the health risk can be reduced by not drinking more than the maximum recommended weekly limit for men and women – 14 units of alcohol, spreading the units over three days and having several alcohol-free days each week.
Fourteen units is equivalent to seven pints of average strength beer, 14 single measures (25ml) of spirits or six medium (175ml) glasses of average strength wine. Binge drinking (consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period) can have severe effects and consequences to the body, including breathing problems, seizures, and brain damage, ultimately leading to death.
Exercise & Diet
Exercise is vital for young heart health. NHS Scotland recommends children and young adults have 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a day, spread through the day. Ensuring young people have regular exercise will reduce the risk of major illnesses such heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Exercise can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, and energy while also lowering stress levels.
Alongside this a well-balanced diet can help you live a healthier life. It can also reduce your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and some cancers. If you are living with a heart condition, a healthy diet can benefit your heart. The Eat Well Guide shows the types of food we should be eating and the percentage. 5 a-day fruit and vegetables and lowering salt and sugar intake leads to a healthier heart.
Smoking and vaping
Finally, smoking at any age has a massive impact on your health. Cigarette smoking in early adulthood is associated with an increased risk of premature cardiac injury. This damage to the heart is likely to increase the chance of future cardiovascular death or illness in mid-life. There is a definite need for the older generation to lead by example and the aim for the government to promote and smoke and nicotine free country, this could lower preventable heart disease risk for future generations.
The recent upsurge of vaping and e-cigarettes is also a cause for concern in the younger generation. These products contain substances that can damage lungs, alongside the abnormal heart rhythms the nicotine causes. It is crucial these dangers are highlighted to young people. Support is available for them and support them to stop smoking. This will improve their health for their future.
All of the above can cause:
- Increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Potential for heart attacks
- Long-term cardiovascular complications
- Genetic vulnerability
It is of immense importance to monitor overall caffeine and alcohol intake, ensure you are getting enough exercise and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Eliminating smoking and vaping is imperative for our youth’s heart health in the future. Those with existing heart conditions or any of these symptoms should seek advice from their healthcare provider.
There are many charities available which can provide support and advice regarding heart health in young people.
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) work to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac deaths (YSCD). CRY supports young people who have been diagnosed the cardiac conditions. https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/
British Heart Foundation (BHF) http://www.bhf.org.uk/ delivers groundbreaking research to save and improve lives for all ages.
Chest Heart and stroke Scotland https://www.chss.org.uk/ are a charity working with people who have illnesses related to chest, heart and stroke conditions.
The RSABI Heath Huts will be attending auction marts and agricultural shows and events all over the country this year, please come along, stop and have a chat. We offer free advice, information, and support relating to health and wellbeing and you can have your blood pressure and heart rate checked.
Forthcoming Health Hut dates and venues via Health Huts – RSABI