Turkey: 'One-fifth of heart attacks occur before 50'

ISTANBUL

One-fifth of heart attacks occur before patients turn 50 in Turkey, a country with one of the youngest populations in Europe, according to a Turkish cardiologist.

“20% of heart attacks in Turkey occur before the age of 50, while the average age in European countries is 60-65,” Dr. Ozlem Esen, a professor at Altinbas University's medical school in Istanbul, told Anadolu Agency.

Esen said heart attack is in the first place among health problems in Turkey with a rate of 42%.

Heart attacks were seen only in patients over 60 years of age 20 years ago, Esen said, adding