Prediabetic young adults might have higher heart attack risk: Report - Fox News

New research from the American Heart Association (AHA) has found a potential link between prediabetes and heart attacks.

Jain said in the news release that the AHA "focused on defining the risk factors" for young adults, "so that future scientific guidelines and health policies may be better able to address cardiovascular disease risks in relation to prediabetes.".

Researchers reportedly found that 7.8 million heart attack hospitalizations from 2018 were related to young adults between the ages of 18 and 44.

Prediabetic young adults, who are defined as having blood sugar levels that "are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes," are 1.7 times more likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack compared to their non-prediabetic peers, according to the AHA’s research.

Black, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander men who were considered prediabetic and within the young adult age range were "more likely to be" hospitalized for heart attacks, according to the AHA.

The American Heart Association analyzed health records from the National Inpatient Sample – a public hospitalization database.

There were 7.8 million heart attack hospitalizations reported in young adult patients in 2018.

In a statement, Jain said it’s "essential to raise awareness" about prediabetes screenings and health checkups for young adults because it can help "prevent or delay" the development of Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and other associated cardiovascular events

The American Heart Association recommends ‘healthy dietary patterns’ and exercise for overall heart health

Studies have found these two lifestyle habits contribute to lowered Type 2 diabetes and heart attack risks