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Jewel Scott, Assistant Professor of Nursing Science, University of South Carolina

Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health

Many young adults don't realize that high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure and lack of physical activity are early heart disease risk factors. Kmatta/Moment via Getty Images

Emerging adulthood – the life stage that unfolds around ages 18-25 – is full of major transitions, such as starting college or learning a trade, making new friends and romantic connections, and generally becoming more independent.

It’s also a stage where behaviors that diminish heart health, such as spending more time sitting, consuming more fast food and using more tobacco and alcohol, become more common. In fact, only about 1 in 4 youths maintain positive health behavior patterns during the transition to adulthood.

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