Cardiologists raise alarm over rising heart disease among youth
KARACHI:
The Medical Centre of the University of Karachi (KU), in collaboration with the
Pakistan Cardiac Society, organised a public awareness seminar titled “Step
Towards a Heart-Smart Future” at the campus, highlighting that cardiovascular
diseases remain the foremost cause of mortality worldwide, with Pakistan facing
an alarming increase, particularly among its younger population.
Leading
cardiologists from major medical institutions of Karachi, with KU Vice
Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid M Iraqi as chief guest, urged the public to adopt
preventive lifestyles.
Professor
Dr Bashir Hanif, Chief Cardiologist and Executive Director of Tabba Heart
Institute, sharing the gravity of the global situation, noted that nearly 20
million people die annually from heart-related illnesses, with 16 million of
those deaths occurring in developing countries including Pakistan, India, and
other Asian nations.
“People in
the South Asia region generally have narrower blood vessels, lower levels of
good cholesterol, and higher levels of bad cholesterol—factors that combine to
raise the risk of heart disease significantly,” he added underlining the
importance of preventive health.
The
physician emphasised the adoption of healthy habits such as balanced nutrition,
regular exercise, and routine checkups to avoid the fatal consequences of
neglect.
KU VC Dr
Iraqi cautioned against reliance on myths or self-styled experts when dealing
with health issues. “The public should trust science and consult qualified
medical professionals. Early screening and timely lifestyle changes are
essential to protect oneself against chronic illnesses like cardiovascular
disease,” he remarked.
Dr Bella
Khan from the Aga Khan University stressed the significance of engaging youth
directly in awareness activities. She noted that the first and most effective
step in disease prevention is screening for risk factors such as diabetes and
hypertension.
Professor
Dr Nawaz Lashari of Dow University of Health Sciences pointed out that
cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes are responsible
for around 32 per cent of global deaths. Highlighting the role of seminars and
awareness-focused events, he said such forums are important and fuel
discussions on challenges that were affecting humanity at large. “Research and
development in this field are not just medical milestones; they are services to
humanity,” he said.
Dr Lachman
Das drew attention to the high costs of cardiac treatment, observing that early
diagnosis not only makes treatment more effective but also significantly
reduces financial burdens. “Timely detection is the key. Preventive care and
awareness can save both lives and resources,” he stressed.
Senior
cardiologists Prof Dr Khalida Soomro, Dr Roohi Ilyas, Dr Asadullah Khan Soomro,
Dr S M Affaque, Dr Akram Sultan, and Dr Beenish Imam, also addressed the
audience. Collectively, they warned that Pakistan is experiencing a worrying
increase in heart disease cases among young people, a trend that could have
severe social and economic consequences if left unaddressed.
The
speakers identified poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress,
tobacco use, and a lack of regular exercise as major risk factors fuelling the
epidemic. They stressed that young people, in particular, need to be made aware
of the dangers of unchecked habits that can lead to early onset of
cardiovascular conditions.
Photos courtesy: KU
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This news report was originally published in the weekly Social Track, Karachi.
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