Africa
Silent Struggles: How Mild Heart Disorders Affect Young People -By Ahmad Fatima Garba
Medical Experts note that responsibility shouldn’t fall on individuals alone. Greater investment in heart health awareness, affordable diagnostic facilities, and school-based screenings could save countless young lives. Until then, young people like Fatima, Abubakar, and Amina’s daughter will continue to bear silent struggles that society too often overlooks.
When people think about heart problems, they often imagine older adults battling high blood pressure or clogged arteries. But the reality is different. Even young people and children can face heart disorders—some mild, others more severe. Symptoms can be subtle, easily mistaken for stress, fatigue, or “just cramps.”
A mild heart disorder is a condition where the heart does not function at its best but is not yet critical. It may involve slight structural defects, irregular heartbeat, or early weakness of the heart muscle. Simply put, the heart still works but may show warning signs like tiredness, chest pain, or shortness of breath during activities.(Mayo Clinic, 2025.)
Fatima, a final-year Mass Communication student, never imagined her daily struggles with chest discomfort and fatigue were linked to her heart.
“I started noticing unusual symptoms like cramps, occasional chest discomfort, and feeling tired too quickly,” she recalls. “At first, I thought it was just stress, but later doctors explained it was a mild heart disorder.”
Managing her condition alongside her studies has been tough. “Between lectures, projects, and group assignments, I often push myself too hard. That’s when the symptoms appear: chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or sudden tiredness. It reminds me that I have to slow down, even when I don’t want to.”
Convincing others is another challenge. “Some don’t believe it because I don’t look sick. Others feel pity. But I just want people to understand that even mild heart disorders are real and shouldn’t be ignored.”
Fatima’s experience is not unique. Many young people face similar challenges, often without early diagnosis.
Abubakar, 19, was still in secondary school when he was diagnosed with a mild congenital heart defect.
“I couldn’t keep up with my friends during sports. I would feel breathless after just a few minutes. Everyone thought I was lazy or weak,” he says.
His parents initially treated him repeatedly for malaria before a doctor recommended a heart scan. “That’s when we knew. It was shocking, but also a relief to finally understand what was wrong.”
Medical Professionals explain that stress whether emotional or academic can trigger physical symptoms in the heart, even when the disorder is mild. Some conditions, like Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (often called “broken heart syndrome”), show how stress can temporarily weaken the heart even without blocked arteries. Stress-induced chest pressure and palpitations can also worsen existing heart problems.
A World Heart Day programme in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on October 5, 2024, Dr. Folasade Olaitan Alli, consultant cardiologist and Founder of the Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre, warned that heart conditions in Nigeria can begin as early as age seven, often catching families off guard. She described the rising rate among children and youths as “worrisome,” emphasizing that what starts as a mild disruption can lead to premature death if ignored (Vanguard, October 5, 2024).
In Nigeria, 7 to 18 children per 1,000 are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), higher than the global average.One hospital study found 12 per 1,000 children diagnosed with structural heart disease, most under three years old.
A national registry in 2014 tracked 1,296 children with CHD, but only 16% received corrective surgery, and fewer than a quarter of those surgeries were done in Nigeria.
Behind the statistics are real families. Amina Suleiman, whose 12-year-old daughter lives with a heart disorder, carries a heavy sense of regret.
“Whenever she complained of chest pain, I would say, ‘It’s nothing, maybe you’re tired or it’s malaria.’ I regret not checking earlier. When the doctor confirmed it was her heart, I broke down. Now, I always advise other parents don’t ignore these small signs.
Her daughter sometimes struggles in school and tires quickly during play. “It changes her daily life, and as a mother, that pain stays with me.”
During an interview with Dr. Ibrahim Musa, consultant cardiologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, he emphasized that early detection saves lives.
“Young patients often ignore or hide their symptoms because they don’t expect heart problems at their age,But conditions like arrhythmia, congenital defects, or valve problems can remain silent until triggered by stress or physical exertion. Even a mild heart disorder may worsen without proper monitoring.” he said.
He added, “Parents and teachers should take complaints of chest pain, palpitations, or unusual fatigue seriously. Don’t dismiss it as laziness or stress. A simple check-up can make the difference between management and tragedy.”
For Fatima, awareness is key. “If I hadn’t spoken up about my discomfort, I might still be thinking it was just stress. Early diagnosis has helped me manage it before it became worse.”
Her advice to other students: “Don’t ignore your body. Even if the pain is small or comes once in a while, check it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Medical Experts note that responsibility shouldn’t fall on individuals alone. Greater investment in heart health awareness, affordable diagnostic facilities, and school-based screenings could save countless young lives. Until then, young people like Fatima, Abubakar, and Amina’s daughter will continue to bear silent struggles that society too often overlooks.
