How can young adults address potential heart risks later in life as they mature into adulthood? This is what a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated steps that young adults entering adulthood can take to ensure a long and healthy heart life. This study has the potential to help smooth the transition from young adulthood to adulthood while ensuring individuals lead a long and healthy life.
“In the transition from high school to young adulthood, the built-in checkpoints fall off, and young adults may not reengage with care until after they’ve developed a heart disease risk factor,” said Dr. Jewel Scott, who is an assistant professor of biobehavioral health and nursing science in the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina and lead author of the study.
For the study, the researchers conducted a literature review regarding the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as young adults transition into adulthood and the steps they can take to mitigate these risks later in life. The researchers first designated age groups as adolescents (12-21), emerging adult (18-25), and young adult (18-44) while emphasizing how these age groups correspond with CVD risks.
They evaluated CVD risk factors, including population-level, individual-level, and lifestyle factors, along with discussing developmental considerations, including substance use, pregnancy, social connectedness, and social media. In the end, the researchers concluded that addressing these factors during early adulthood could decrease the risk of CVD later in life.
“We highlight some of the populations that need extra effort or attention tailored to their unique circumstances, such as those moving out of the foster care system and others who have barriers engaging with the health care system. One size may seem to fit all, however, it doesn’t usually work,” said Dr. Scott.
The researchers note that one potential way young adults can be reached is through digital avenues, specifically mobile technology or telehealth. This is because today’s youth are constantly online so using these tools to teach them about heart health could help set them up for a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
What new discoveries about young adult heart health will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Journal of the American Heart Association, EurekAlert!, American Heart Association
