Health Habits In 20s, 30s Can Have Dramatic Effect On Later Heart Attack, Stroke Risk

Key Takeaways

Young adults’ habits related to health dramatically influence their future risk of heart attack or stroke

Those whose healthy habits faded over two decades saw their risk climb as much as 10 times

The habits reflected the heart-healthy recommendations of Life’s Essential 8

THURSDAY, Oct. 9, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The healthy habits people adopt and stick with in their 20s and 30s have a massive and direct impact on their risk of a heart attack or stroke decades later, a landmark study says.

Young adults who fail to keep heart-healthy practices can see their risk of future heart disease skyrocket by as much as 10 times as they age, compared to those who maintain their healthy habits, researchers reported Oct. 6 in JAMA Network Open .

“Change matters: Improvements