Doctors press for national action on Pakistan’s cardiac crisis

Marking World Heart Day, PMA calls for prevention, early screening, and wider awareness to curb disease burden

IV Report

KARACHI: As Pakistan joined the world in marking World Heart Day on September 29, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) warned that heart disease has reached crisis levels in the country, urging urgent policy action, early screening, and sustained public education to save lives.

In a statement, PMA Secretary General D r Abdul Ghafoor Shoro noted that nearly 80 percent of premature deaths caused by cardiac disease could be prevented. “The burden can only be reduced through collective effort, beginning with individual responsibility and supported by government-led interventions,” he said.

He emphasised that the issue should be treated as a national health emergency, requiring substantial investment in prevention and early care.

D r Abdul Ghafoor Shoro

The association called for stronger primary healthcare facilities equipped with diagnostic tools such as ECG machines, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters, alongside training for general practitioners and paramedics in early cardiac assessment. It urged the government to ensure uninterrupted availability of life-saving medicines like blood thinners and anti-hypertensives and to launch nationwide programmes for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces.

Recognising the needs of different age groups, PMA underscored the importance of specialised pediatric cardiology services and financial support for congenital heart disease surgeries. For adults, it recommended workplace-based annual cardiac risk assessments, while for the elderly, it highlighted the need for structured programmes to manage chronic conditions such as heart failure.

Beyond policy measures, the PMA urged citizens to take practical steps to protect their hearts. These include regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol; adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables while limiting salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats; and engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. It also reiterated its strong call for quitting tobacco in all forms, including cigarettes, shisha, and paan, which remain major drivers of heart disease in Pakistan.

“The prevention of heart disease must be treated as a shared responsibility,” the PMA concluded, stressing that both community action and government commitment are essential to reverse the country’s cardiac crisis.

Infos courtesy: World Heart Federation