A troubling rise in heart attacks and cardiac arrests among young people in Pakistan is raising red flags among medical professionals, who point to poor lifestyle choices and delayed diagnosis as key contributors to the growing crisis.
The recent death of a young schoolteacher — who collapsed from a cardiac arrest while giving a lecture — has stunned the public and intensified concerns over why increasingly younger individuals are suffering from deadly heart events.
New research from cardiology institutes across the country reveals that one in every three heart patients in Pakistan is now under the age of 40. Even more alarming, half of all individuals aged 30 to 50 suffer from high blood pressure, while 32% are living with diabetes — both significant risk factors for heart disease.
The Silent Danger: Ignoring Early Symptoms
Health professionals warn that one of the most dangerous trends is the widespread neglect of early warning signs and the near absence of regular health screenings.
“People are ignoring basic symptoms like chest discomfort, fatigue, or shortness of breath, and very few go for preventive checkups,” said a senior cardiologist at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. “By the time patients arrive, their condition is often advanced. Routine checkups and blood tests every six months could save countless lives.”
Lifestyle Habits Under Scrutiny
Doctors and public health experts agree that poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, high stress levels, and excessive screen time are playing a major role in deteriorating cardiovascular health among the youth.
“Fast food has replaced home-cooked meals, and regular physical activity is nearly absent,” one expert noted. “Technology connects us, but it’s also making young people increasingly inactive and mentally exhausted.”
The Need for Emergency Preparedness
Another major issue is the lack of emergency response awareness, which often results in preventable deaths from sudden cardiac arrest. Experts stress that simple interventions — such as CPR — can double or even triple survival rates if applied immediately.
The head of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology has called for nationwide CPR training and first aid awareness campaigns, especially in schools, colleges, and workplaces.
“Emergency preparedness should be as common as fire drills,” he said. “Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.”
As the trend continues, medical professionals urge the public — especially the youth — to prioritise preventive healthcare, adopt healthier lifestyles, and demand better public health education to reverse the tide of early-age heart disease.
