The heart consists of four chambers: the two upper chambers known as the atria and the two lower chambers known as the ventricles. The right and left side of the heart are separated by a wall known as the septum; blood flows between the chambers through heart valves. Although age remains a risk factor for developing heart problems, problems with the heart can occur at any age.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia describes an abnormality in the heart rate and rhythm of the heart contractions. A group of specialized cells in the right atrium, known as the sinus node, produce electrical impulses that travel through the heart triggering it to contract. A problem with the sinus node or a disturbance in the electrical impulses can result in arrhythmia.
The American Heart Association reports supraventricular tachycardia---SVT---as the most common type of abnormal tachycardia in young adults. Tachycardia occurs when the heart beats too fast, often over 150 beats per minute, according to the American Heart Association. Atrial fibrillation, a popular type of SVT, begins in the upper chambers of the heart and causes dizziness, fatigue and lightheadedness.
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects, problems with the structure of the heart present at birth, affect 8 out of every 1000 babies, making it the most common type of birth defect, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Doctors classify heart defects as simple---those needing no treatment or can easily be fixed---or complex---those that require special medical care after birth.
Congenital heart defects can affect the interior walls of the heart. A septal defect, also known as a hole in the heart, allows blood to flow between either the two atria or two ventricles. Congenital heart defects also affect the heart valves, the opening between chambers that allow blood to flow in only one direction. Congenital heart defects may also affect the arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the heart.
Heart Disease
Doctors classify a variety of diseases affecting the heart as heart disease. The most common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease, remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Coronary artery disease occurs when arteries become damaged leading to a buildup of a fatty substance known as plaque. The plaque causes the arteries to narrow and makes the arteries less flexible, therefore restricting the flow of blood to the heart.
Although often thought of a disease for older people, heart disease affects 1 out of every 20 people below the age of 40, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many factors contribute to the risk of developing heart disease, including high levels of cholesterol in the blood, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption. The more risk factors present, the higher the risk for developing heart disease at a younger age.
