Leading cardiologists at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad have warned that poor lifestyle choices and unmanaged health conditions are driving a rise in youth heart disease across Pakistan. Smoking, frequent consumption of junk food, sedentary habits, uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes were highlighted as the main contributors to the trend among people in their 30s and 40s.
Dr Asaad Akbar Khan, Chief of Cardiology, said ‘What is truly shocking is that people in their 30s and 40s are now presenting with serious heart conditions and heart attacks once seen only in older patients.’ He urged patients to follow cardiologists’ instructions closely, stressing that timely medication, regular check-ups and lifestyle modifications are critical for survival and long-term health.
Dr Saeed Ullah Shah, Consultant Cardiologist, emphasised that reducing modifiable risk factors can significantly lower the chances of developing heart disease. He noted that prevention is rooted in simple daily changes: routine exercise, balanced diets, quitting tobacco and better stress management alongside scheduled medical reviews.
Cardiologists also highlighted the importance of recognising heart attack warning signs and seeking emergency care immediately. Timely intervention can save lives and prevent irreversible damage to the heart muscle, and hospitals with prepared systems can markedly improve outcomes.
Shifa International Hospital underscored its readiness to treat acute cases with 24/7 primary PCI services and a dedicated STEMI Code to ensure rapid and accurate treatment of heart attacks. These facilities are part of the hospital’s broader commitment to address the growing burden of youth heart disease locally.
Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 shows cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 23 percent of all deaths in Pakistan, with related deaths doubling over the last three decades. The number of Pakistanis living with heart disease rose from 4.1 million in 1990 to 8.6 million in 2019, illustrating the scale of the challenge facing clinicians and public health planners.
To mark World Heart Day, Shifa organised awareness sessions in corporate organisations and universities, worked with media outlets and launched digital campaigns aimed at educating the public on prevention and early detection. Cardiologists called on families, employers and institutions across Pakistan to prioritise heart health and support measures that reduce risk factors.
Addressing youth heart disease in Pakistan will depend on wider adoption of healthy behaviours, better control of chronic conditions and prompt access to emergency care. Clinicians urged individuals to schedule regular check-ups, adhere to prescribed treatments and adopt lifestyle changes to help reverse the alarming trend among younger adults.
