Can teens get heart attacks?

[Anonymous]

So last week an old friend of my mine died from a heart attack he was only 17 and was a very good athlete. They said the cause of death was a heart attack. But everyone is making rumors that it was an overdose and an accident. I just want to no if its possible for a kid who plays so many sports like football, rugby and very active to die of an heart attack. I am not saying that its a lie because if that's why he died then this is what happened. I am just curious on what you think. Also I believe him to be a party kid smoked and drank here in there but not any other drugs I no of.

[Camilus]

There are two different kinds of heart attacks: myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. An infarction is from a blocked artery where the heart muscle receives no blood and dies, and that's not going to happen in a 17 year old. Cardiac arrest is when the heart's electrical system goes haywire and you go into PEA or asystole (flatline)...and that's what probably happened

It could be probably be from:

-A congenital heart condition

-Long Q-T syndrome ( link )

-Precordial thump ( link ), which is a common sports injury and the main reason they use chest pads.

-Drugs (stimulants)

[christian2724]

Everything is possible, though it sounds highly unlikely.

If I had to guess I'd say it was associated with his physical activities. Probably drove himself way too hard, and took some performance drugs that backfired. Not necessarily anything illegal. Or too many energy drinks, caffeine, etc.

[paigems]

Yes, teens can get heart attacks. Though, usually they are not the same type of heart attacks older people get (blocked arteries). I have also heard of wayy too much energy drinks and caffeine giving teens heart attacks.

[ketfoen]

that is very true. A friend of my brother in-law had got such a heart attack and he was 18, he drank many energy drinks before playing sports.

[bel42]

yes they can. He probably had a family history of some very dangerous form of heart disease.

[Anthony623]

How to Recognize a Heart Attack
and What to Do Next
Look at its four distinctive symptoms: first, chest discomfort that feels like uncomfortable
pressure, squeezing, fullness, and pain in the middle of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes.
The second symptom is discomfort or pain in one or both arms and your back, neck, jaw, or
stomach.
The third symptom is shortness of breath.
The last thing you need to watch out for is breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, and
lightheadedness.
These don’t all come at once, but if you see even one or two, it’s time to call 911.
Another step you can take to improve your chances before the ambulance arrives is to chew on
an aspirin and pour a vial of nitroglycerin under your tongue. But you need to have these two items at home beforehand.

Click on the link to read the full article

bit. ly/3oLgRsr

[mike5150]

Yes it is possible but a lot of teens who do have a heart attack find out they were born with a heart condition. There is also a risk when playing sports frequantly because it gets the heart rate up. If there playing a game like basketball where they have to run up and down the court for 40 straight minutes it is a greater possibility.

[Voltaire]

It's possible, sure. Though a heart attack can also be caused by the use of steroids or drugs.