For many, heart failure still seems like something that only affects older adults. But doctors say that’s changing — more young adults are being diagnosed.
Between 2020 and 2024, new cases among Quebecers in their 40s jumped by 39 per cent, according to the Canadian Heart Failure Society. Carmine Venditti was just 48 when he was diagnosed — something he never expected at his age.
“About 16 years ago, in my late 40s, I started feeling the pressure in my chest. I was having trouble breathing. I was often out of breath. I had a lot of fatigue. And with very little effort, I would also feel dizzy.”
Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart can’t pump effectively, often due to weakness or stiffness, or both.
In Quebec, 3,810 people between the ages of 40 and 49 are living with the condition. Across Canada, that number rises to 850,000, with 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
“It’s not normal to be breathless. People will blame it on they’re being overweight, they’re out of shape, they’re old, or they smoke all their life. It might be true, but it might also be heart failure,” said Dr. Anique Ducharme, a cardiologist at the Montreal Heart Institute.
“It’s a disease that increases with age, so the heart can become stiffer, hypertension, diabetes, they’re all comorbidities that can cause heart failure.”
Although heart failure cannot be cured, it can be managed. With medical follow-up and medication, Venditti gradually got his energy back and returned to activities he enjoys, like walking, biking, and travelling.
“What I have is it’s called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,” said Venditti. “So the medication has done a 360 on me. I’m back in the gym. I’m training. I’m feeling a lot, lot better.”
Dr. Ducharme explains that, “Now we have very good treatment to control the symptoms, prolong the life, and decrease the risk of hospitalization.”
Before explaining what is less known is the impact of drugs, especially amphetamines, that people take to stay awake.
“This can really damage your heart. We had a couple of heart transplants due to amphetamine, or what is called speed. So the drugs cocaine can cause a lot, but also the drugs that doctors give to patients, the most notable one is chemotherapy,” said Ducharme.
Venditti has a warning for everyone, “Don’t brush off what you’re feeling. Listen to your body. If you’re feeling out of breath, it’s not normal. If you’re feeling pain, it is not normal. Check in with your doctor.”
Dr. Ducharme also has a warning for women, saying heart disease remains a much bigger threat than many realize. “Heart failure, especially in women, kills more people than all cancers except lung cancer.”
