Young adults and MI

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok so I would like to adress a very disturbing issues...I dont know if you guys heard about the death of an actress Britanny Murphy at a young age of 32 that happend today. According to sources she died of cardiac arrest...now I have heard from numerous sources that young people are less likely to survive heart attacks than older adults..but I cant figure out why?? What is wrong with the mechanics of young peoples heart that leads to lethal MI? Any thoughts?? So sad to hear such terrible news right before Christmas-the time of joy:o:crying2::crying2::sniff:

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Do you guys think it was do to her dieting problems?? Did you guys notice how much weight she lost recently? She was always lil chubby but I watched a movie with her and she appeared so thin..yeah she looked great but still? I heard that extreme dieting my cause heart problems..I know that one of the actress who died because she wanted loose weight

I wouldn't say she has ever been a little chubby. In Clueless was probably the most I have ever seen her weigh, and that was what 15-16 years ago or so. Pretty much since then she has always been extremely thin.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just saw the news reports. Pretty hefty and it feels like they aren't being too kind. Some of them are saying that she was going in and out of consciousness just this past week but it sounded like no one said or did anything. Goodness knows if the girl had some emotional / perfectionistic issues, being fired from a movie might have done a number to an already weakened self esteem. Though, it seems fishy to me that the husband would refuse. Wouldn't most people want to know why their spouse suddenly collapses and dies? When people refuse, it makes me think of homicide...

Overall, a sad thing. My husband was reading a Time magazine today and it was covering all the people who died this year. It's been a lot. He was shocked at the number.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Karen Carpenter was also 32 years old when she died.

If this girl was slipping in and out of consciousness for the last week, why didn't anyone do anything. Her mom found her so she must have been suspicious that something was wrong. She went to Brittany's house at 8am in the morning and found her dead in the bathroom. The neighbor said even though they were doing CPR, it looked like the actress was already dead.

So so sad, did she have any kids, didn't read about any. Also, didn't she go to rehab for drug abuse sometime in the last few years.

I know nothing of her husband, is he a drug addict? I read something about him having to be taken off a plane by Paramedics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinicals in Med-Surg., OB, CCU, ICU.

I think this is an excellent question. One would suspect with a young heart it would be a possible congenital factor; or due to a weaken cardiac muscle from not eating properly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think this is an excellent question. One would suspect with a young heart it would be a possible congenital factor; or due to a weaken cardiac muscle from not eating properly.

There in fact is no question regarding this case. We do not even know a cause of death, therefore the question of MI is quite presumptuous. The question in a vacuum separate from the case at hand is quite good, however.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

im 21, and i once had a patient that was 21 with an MI.....

that scared me!!!!

21 YEARS OLD WITH AN MI.

he was not obese, or heavyset...he was normal weight for his age and fairly active. Ran track...

Crazy stuff out there!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
Ok so I would like to adress a very disturbing issues...I dont know if you guys heard about the death of an actress Britanny Murphy at a young age of 32 that happend today. According to sources she died of cardiac arrest...now I have heard from numerous sources that young people are less likely to survive heart attacks than older adults..but I cant figure out why?? What is wrong with the mechanics of young peoples heart that leads to lethal MI? Any thoughts?? So sad to hear such terrible news right before Christmas-the time of joy:o:crying2::crying2::sniff:

Have you looked at a picture of her recently? Notice anything?

My guess is that she died of a lethal arrhythmia (not equivalent to MI) brought on by electrolyte imbalance r/t malnutrition.

As far as why younger people tend to die of MI, it is as others have suggested, due to the lack of collateral circulation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I read an article that said they were thinking "natural causes." I really hope they won't classify anorexia-related lyte imbalances as "natural" if that turns out to be the cause. I know it's just words, but the young women looking at people magazine etc. need to not be reading that there's anything natural about starving yourself to death...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

" She was always lil chubby "

Oh my goodness. No wonder young girls get the wrong impression. I'd bet not one person can find a picture of Brittany Murphy @ any size other than a 4 or 6.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
I wouldn't say she has ever been a little chubby. In Clueless was probably the most I have ever seen her weigh, and that was what 15-16 years ago or so. Pretty much since then she has always been extremely thin.

I read an article that said they were thinking "natural causes." I really hope they won't classify anorexia-related lyte imbalances as "natural" if that turns out to be the cause. I know it's just words, but the young women looking at people magazine etc. need to not be reading that there's anything natural about starving yourself to death...

Well, unless you accept that mental illness is as natural as any other illness... But I'll admit, that's problematic. I smoke. I've been trying, off and on, to quit, but haven't yet succeeded. Do I smoke due to a mental illness, or because I'm stupid? I tend to suspect, some combination of both.

I don't know whether it would help or harm those susceptible to anorexia nervosa to see it characterized as a natural illness. In my own experience, all the discussion in my Psych class about addictions didn't impress me much. But in Psych Nursing, one of my instructors brought up sub-intentional suicide, and that did make an impression. So, semantics can matter, but there's probably a lot of variability in which are the right words.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

semantics can matter, but there's probably a lot of variability in which are the right words.

there's way too much truth in that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment