Julián Figueroa Dies at 27: Why Are There More Heart Attacks in Young People?

Heart attacks are now more common among young people in their 20s and 30s. Find out why this health problem has increased.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Leonardo Biolatto.

Written by Editorial Team

Last update: 09 November, 2023

The death of Julián Figueroa, son of renowned Mexican musician Joan Sebastian and actress Maribel Guardia, has caused great commotion in Mexican society. The 27-year-old actor passed away on Sunday, April 9th, in Mexico City, due to an acute myocardial infarction, as confirmed by his mother through Instagram. Why are there so many heart attacks among young people?

Unfortunately, Julián’s death is not an isolated case. In recent years, there has been a worrying increase in heart attacks among young people around the world.

Factors such as poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress may be contributing to this phenomenon. Let’s see what’s behind what happened.

Heart attacks among young people

Julián Figueroa died due to an acute myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation.

Acute myocardial infarction is caused by an obstruction in the flow of blood to the heart muscle. On the other hand, ventricular fibrillation is a potentially fatal arrhythmia in which the ventricles of the heart contract irregularly and at a high rate.

The sudden death of the young actor and singer has highlighted the importance of cardiovascular disease prevention in the young population, as well as the need for further research. Although the causes of Julian Figueroa’s heart attack are unknown, his death may be a wake-up call for young people around the world.

Recent research suggests that heart attacks among young people between the ages of 25 and 40 has increased in the United States. Likewise, a study conducted in September 2022 pointed out that COVID-19 became a risk factor for those who went through the infection.

Why are heart attacks among young people increasing?

Heart attacks have always been associated with those over 40 years of age. However, today, 20% of patients who suffer a heart attack are under 40 years of age. This increase in these cases has generated concern in the medical and scientific community.

Although having a heart attack at a young age can be a frightening experience, what is more worrying is that patients who have had a heart attack in their 20s or 30s face the same future risks as older patients.

That is, once they have had a first heart attack, they are just as likely to die from a second major cardiac event or stroke, regardless of their age. Therefore, taking preventive measures is key.

Diabetes is one of the major risk factors

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of heart disease worldwide . People living with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to die of heart disease compared to the rest of the population.

In addition, patients with diabetes are more likely to develop other chronic conditions that increase the risk of a heart attack, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, getting regular medical tests and changing habits can help.

High blood pressure is increasingly common among young people

High blood pressure causes the heart muscles to thicken, which can damage blood vessels in the area and increase the risk of a heart attack. Data indicates that hypertension is increasing rapidly in young adults .

This factor also increases the risk of strokes and kidney failure. Therefore, high blood pressure measurements are relevant to corroborate that we are within normal parameters.

Obesity and excess weight are also risk factors

Excess weight can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health, as it increases the energy demand of the heart. In addition, obesity  is often associated with other medical conditions that are detrimental , such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Smoking and vaping

Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors contributing to heart attacks in young adults.

The number of cigarettes smoked is directly related to the risk of a heart attack. Smoking a pack a day increases the risk of heart attack compared to nonsmokers.

And while vaping may seem like a less harmful alternative, it isn’t without risk. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other toxic compounds that can speed up the heart rate and raise blood pressure.

In fact, a recent study found that vaping increases the likelihood of having a heart attack by 34%. If you want to protect your heart and your overall health, it’s best to avoid both smoking and vaping.

How to prevent heart attacks in young adults?

Prevention is the key to avoiding a heart attack. Although we don’t know if Julian Figueroa’s case would have been preventable, it doesn’t hurt to take certain precautions if you’re under 40.

1. Exercise more

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week to reduce the risk of heart disease. You can divide this time into 30-minute intervals for 5 days and set aside two rest days.

2. Maintain a healthy diet

A heart-healthy diet not only benefits the heart, but the entire body. Opt for antioxidant foods, full of vitamins and minerals.

3. Stop smoking

Smoking is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the chances of having a heart attack.

4. Learn to manage stress

Chronic stress can be a risk factor for heart disease. Therefore, learning to manage stress is an important part of any cardiovascular prevention strategy. And how can you do that?

• With more relaxing activities in your routine, such as listening to music or practicing a hobby, perhaps drawing.
• By talking to trusted friends and sharing your feelings with them.
• By learning and practicing techniques designed for stress management, such as deep breathing or meditation.

Julian Figueroa’s case is a wake-up call

Julian Figueroa’s heart attack at an early age reminds us that this situation does happen. And statistics indicate that it’s happening more and more often.

It’s time to review our lifestyle to identify risk factors that we can change. Small changes are within our reach to reduce the risk.