Unhealthy Lifestyle, The Main Trigger For Heart Disease At A Young Age

JAKARTA - Heart disease has been known as a degenerate disease that is synonymous with the elderly. But now it shows an alarming trend, as this disease is now increasingly attacking the younger age group.

An unhealthy lifestyle, including a bad diet, smoking habits, to lack of physical activity, is a major factor that accelerates the risk of heart disease at productive age. This phenomenon not only has an impact on individuals, but also adds to the economic burden and health of the country.

According to dr. Vireza Pratama Sp.JP (K), FIHA, FASCC, FSCAI, Chairman of PERKI Jaya, the high mortality rate due to ischemic heart disease in Indonesia cannot be separated from people's lifestyles. High diets of fat and carbohydrates are one of the main causes.

"Consumption of unhealthy foods like this accelerates the buildup of plaque in blood vessels, which can narrow and even clog blood flow to the heart and brain. This condition risks triggering heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure," said doctor Vireza at the Siloam Cardiac Summit 2025 event in Jakarta, recently.

Another problem that also worsens the situation is the high prevalence of smoking, especially among young people. Smoking habits not only increase the risk of heart disease, but also damage blood vessels and accelerate damage to vital organs.

Unfortunately, efforts to prevent the younger population from exposure to cigarettes still face many challenges. According to dr. Vireza, more massive education about the dangers of smoking and restrictions on access to tobacco products must be carried out immediately to protect the younger generation.

In addition, a lifestyle that is increasingly consistent or lacks movement is also the main trigger for the risk of heart disease. Many people now spend time sitting for hours without being interspersed with physical activity. In fact, the lack of body movement can trigger obesity and metabolic disorders, which ultimately increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, there is great hope to address this problem through a preventive approach. Doctor Vireza stressed prevention is far more effective than treatment. With simple but consistent lifestyle changes, the risk of heart disease can be significantly suppressed.

One of the important steps is to adopt a healthy diet by reducing consumption of saturated fat and sugar, as well as increasing the intake of healthy fruit, vegetables, and protein.

Physical activities such as exercise should also be part of daily routines. Exercise regularly, even if it only walks 30 minutes a day, can have a major impact on heart health.

"Public health checks are also an important key for early detection. Especially for individuals who have risk factors such as family history with heart disease, smoking habits, or obesity, periodic examinations can help prevent complications," he explained.

In addition, public awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle must continue to be improved. Heart disease is not only about avoiding early death, but also maintaining a better quality of life.