Cassie Jacobsen, a nurse practitioner at Salem Health Cardiology, says it is important to understand the causes and risks of heart disease. She explains that heart disease can affect younger adults, not just older people. Jacobsen has seen patients in their 20s and 30s, showing that age is not the only risk factor.
She also addresses the idea that a healthy weight alone prevents heart disease. While obesity increases risk, Jacobsen notes that people with normal weight can also develop heart disease. She lists other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, substance use, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Jacobsen says that even minor heart attacks should be taken seriously. Any heart attack means reduced blood flow to the heart and can lead to more serious problems later. She advises people to pay attention to all heart-related symptoms…