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The early heart disease risk men face in their 30s
For many men in their 30s, a heart attack feels like a distant concern — something that happens later in life. Routine screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) is often not emphasized until the mid-40s.
But growing research suggests that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in men may begin rising much earlier — sometimes as early as age 35.
Understanding this early turning point could make a meaningful difference in long-term heart health.
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Coronary heart disease can develop quietly
Coronary heart disease develops gradually as plaque builds inside the arteries. In the early stages, symptoms are often subtle or absent.
By the time warning signs appear, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath and fatigue, significant narrowing may already be present.
Because the latest research shows risk acceleration beginning around age 35, waiting until mid-life to begin screening may cause men to miss a key prevention window for early heart disease risk.
Men’s heart disease risk increases in their 30s
“Our findings suggest that encouraging preventive care visits among young men could be an important opportunity to improve heart health and lower cardiovascular disease risk.”
That’s what Dr. Alexa Freedman, assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, had to say about the findings of a decades-long study.
Dr. Freedman and her research team analyzed data from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study, which involved more than 5100 adults aged 18 to 30. It started in the mid-1980s and followed them through 2020.
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Their interest stemmed from the fact that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, making prevention essential for everyone.
They already knew that men tended to develop heart issues earlier than women did. But they didn’t expect to find that the gap began before age 40, when most people start having heart disease screenings.
Here are their major findings:
- Men reached a 5% risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart failure) about seven years earlier than women, revealing a clear and early gap in heart health.
- Coronary heart disease (a narrowing of the arteries) accounted for most of this difference, driving the earlier rise in risk among men.
- Heart disease risk looked similar for men and women until about age 35, when men’s risk began to increase more quickly.
- The earlier onset in men cannot be explained by smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes alone, pointing to additional biological or social influences.
Regular checkups and coronary screening should start earlier
According to the CDC, about 76.6% of women see their doctor for preventive visits as compared with 45.4% of men.
The reasons behind this could be cultural. Men often feel they must be “strong and self-reliant,” which can lead to resistance to seeking help.
For similar reasons, many men avoid the doctor until symptoms are severe, and that needs to change.
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Currently, men are advised to have screening for blood pressure and cholesterol every 3 to 6 years between the ages of 20 and 30. Once they reach 40, those screenings are recommended at yearly checkups. But it is not until age 50 that coronary screening begins, and yearly thereafter.
According to cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, ask your doctor about Lipoprotein (a) — the heart disease triple threat that isn’t routinely checked for. If you’re over 30 and you’ve not had that done, she says you’re overdue.
Establishing a relationship with a trusted doctor is important to ensure screenings are conducted regularly. Men should discuss the possibility of earlier screenings, especially if there is a family history of heart problems.
Young men should also pay attention to the signals their bodies send when things seem “off” and be prepared to have them investigated.
Most importantly, adopting and living a heart-healthy lifestyle is a good idea, whether you’re 25, 35 or 45. But the sooner the better. It’s easier to prevent disease than it is to cure it.
Editor’s note: There are perfectly safe and natural ways to decrease your risk of blood clots including the 25-cent vitamin, the nutrient that acts as a natural blood thinner and the powerful herb that helps clear plaque. To discover these and other secrets of long-lived hearts, click here for Hushed Up Natural Heart Cures and Common Misconceptions of Popular Heart Treatments!
Sources:
Sex Differences in Age of Onset of Premature Cardiovascular Disease and Subtypes: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study — Journal of the American Heart Association
The early turning point when men’s heart risk accelerates — Science Daily
Know a man who is reluctant to see the doctor? — UCLA Health
By Joyce Hollman
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