Definition

• Heart disease is a general term that encompasses several different conditions, ranging from irregular heartbeat to congenital heart defects and coronary artery disease. The term "premature heart disease" usually refers to the latter: a condition related to blocked or narrowed blood vessels that manifests itself as chest pain or heart attack. Premature heart disease may also be called premature cardiovascular disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease is the cause of more than 40 percent of U.S. deaths, making it the No. 1 cause of death in the country.
  
  

Symptoms

• The symptoms of premature heart disease are the same as heart disease that appears at a more typical age. Shortness of breath, pain in the chest and aches, numbness or weakness in a certain part of the arms or legs can all indicate premature heart disease. Although a sudden and severe onset of these symptoms can be a sign of a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke, you may also experience them in a nagging way on a daily basis. It is important to let your doctor know if you do experience these symptoms so that you can be checked for heart disease and can begin treatment, if needed.
  
  

Risks

• The risk for premature heart disease is influenced by both genetics and lifestyle. If you have a family history of heart disease, your odds of developing the condition are increased. Smoking, poor diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol, lack of exercise, stress, diabetes, thyroid disease and poor dental health all increase your heart disease risk. If you already have been diagnosed, these lifestyle factors can all make the condition worse.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Like the symptoms, the diagnosis of premature heart disease is the same as heart disease at any age. Your family medical history, lifestyle and symptoms will all help your doctor determine your risk for heart disease. Tests for diagnosis include blood tests, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram. If your doctor remains unsure after these tests, he may order a heart biopsy and CT or MRI scans.
  
  

Treatment

• If you have bad habits such as smoking that are putting you at risk, making changes will be an important part of your treatment plan, especially if your premature heart disease is caught early. Sometimes lifestyle changes are enough to control heart disease, but when more help is needed, several different options for medication are available. These medications include diuretics, blood thinning medications and beta blockers.
  
  In some cases, surgery to clear blocked arteries is also necessary.