Being young, productive, and physically fit often gives young people the energy to explore many things in life. That is completely understandable, because youth is naturally a time for gathering experiences and satisfying curiosity. However, amid all the excitement, health is often overlooked. Many young people keep pushing themselves through daily activities without truly paying attention to their physical condition.

Sometimes, they assume that serious illnesses are only “diseases of old age,” so they feel the risks are still far away from their lives. In reality, however, that is not always true. A number of diseases once associated with older adults are now appearing earlier—even among young people.

So, could today’s youth lifestyle actually be increasing the risk of coronary heart disease?

Understanding Coronary Heart Disease

In Indonesia, coronary heart disease (CHD) ranks first among the seven major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Tampubolon et al., 2023). According to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, around 877,000 people were living with CHD, with West Java recording the highest number of cases. Among younger age groups, CHD has already affected many people under 44 years old, accounting for 39% of cases, while 22% occur among those aged 15–35 years.

Looking at these figures, CHD should not be underestimated. Preventive measures are urgently needed so that more people—especially young people—can avoid experiencing the same condition. But what exactly is coronary heart disease?

According to the World Health Organization, coronary heart disease is a condition in which blood supply to the heart muscle becomes disrupted, causing the heart to receive insufficient blood and leading to various health complications. In simple terms, it happens when blood flow to the heart becomes partially blocked. This occurs because the main blood vessels supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart become damaged.

There are generally two groups of factors that can trigger coronary heart disease.

The first group involves behavioral and lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy eating habits, high stress levels, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles or lack of physical activity (Atika et al., 2021). Over time, these habits gradually increase the risk of heart problems.

The second group consists of factors that cannot be fully controlled, including family medical history, aging, social conditions, and biological sex differences (Atika et al., 2021). The combination of these factors influences a person’s level of risk for coronary heart disease.

Symptoms That Are Often Ignored

Several warning signs may appear before the disease becomes more serious, including:

• Sudden weakness or shortness of breath after light physical activity that previously felt normal;
• Chest pain spreading to the neck, shoulders, or arms, often described as sharp, heavy, or intense;
• Sudden dizziness accompanied by discomfort, pain, or tightness in the chest;
• Pain in the throat or jaw;
• Excessive cold sweats appearing suddenly;
• Blurred vision, heart palpitations, and other unusual sensations.

If you experience these symptoms—even at a young age—it is important to consult a doctor immediately for further medical examination. Early detection is crucial so the condition can be treated before it becomes more severe.

The Role of Young People in Protecting Their Health

That is why young people need to build health awareness from an early age. Health should become a top priority in daily life and an important consideration before making lifestyle decisions. After all, good health is the first line of defense against more serious problems later on.

It can also be helpful to join communities, organizations, or groups focused on healthy living. Being surrounded by people with similar goals can encourage consistency and self-improvement. Healthy habits are often easier to maintain when done together, and sharing stories about personal progress can motivate others to improve their lifestyles as well.

Youth is often seen as the foundation for life in old age. However, times have changed—many illnesses once associated only with older people are now affecting younger generations. This phenomenon deserves serious attention so that young people can avoid becoming chronically ill later in life.

References
Alodokter. 2024. Kenali ciri penyakit jantung di usia muda sekarang juga!
Alodokter Article

Halodoc. 2018. Masih Muda kok kena jantung koroner?
Halodoc Article

Atika, S.Y., Widiastuti, & Fitriyasti. 2021. Overview of Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Incidence at RSI Siti Rahmah Heart Clinic Padang 2017–2018.

Sangadji, N.W. & Ayu, I.M. 2020. Epidemiology of Coronary Heart Disease Module.

Tampubolon, L.F., Ginting, A., & Saragi Turnip, F.E. 2023. Factors Influencing Coronary Heart Disease Incidence at the Integrated Heart Center.