‘200,000 people die annually due to heart diseases’

Addiction to intense smoking, junk food and sedentary lifestyle are among the major causes

LAHORE: Health experts have warned that number of heart patients was greatly increasing in Pakistan where 200,000 people die annually due to heart diseases.

Speaking on World Heart Day on Friday, they said the ever-growing addiction of intense smoking, eating junk food and sedentary lifestyle were among the major causes of heart diseases. Though awareness camps were established around different hospitals and seminars were also held to mark the day, people believe that the government has taken no steps to spread awareness among the masses about heart diseases.



Masses even don’t know that restaurants serving unhealthy and junk food could be found at every corner of the city. They pose a great danger to human health. On the other hand, surge in smoking was also a major cause of increase in heart diseases.

“There is need to increase the awareness regarding healthy lifestyle otherwise observing this day is useless,” commented Dr Aftab Ashraf, a heart specialist from Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

He said it was unfortunate that there was no concrete data which could point out that how many patients die annually due to heart diseases. “Only World Health Organisation (WHO) shares the data itself that 200,000 people die annually due to heart related disease,” he said.



He said although the government has increased the number of beds in Punjab Institute of Cardiology, but one can see the gravity of the situation as people have to wait at least for one year for their minor operating procedures.

“It is time to organise health awareness activities for low income groups and people with comparatively less education as such health dangers have shifted towards them rather alarmingly,” he concluded.

How to avoid heart diseases?

According to WHO the high risk factors are, obesity, insulin resistance or diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Moreover family history of heart disease, being physically inactive, smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, clinical depression, living a sedentary lifestyle and not getting enough physical exercise, eating an unhealthy diet that is high in fat proteins, trans fats, sugary foods, and sodium, excessive drinking and staying in a high-stress environment without proper stress management techniques also increase the risk of heart dieses.



Another heart specialist, Dr Irfan Tahir Niazi said that heart disease occurs when plaque develops in arteries and blood vessels that lead to the heart. This blocks important nutrients and oxygen from reaching the heart.

“Heart disease is dangerous, but it can be prevented in many cases,” he said adding that “everyone would benefit from maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, but it is particularly important for those with increased risk.”

UAF organises seminar on heart disease

He said people must exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress in your life, stop smoking, drink in moderation, get annual physicals from your doctor to detect abnormalities and assess risk factors, take supplements, as advised by your doctor, know the warning signs of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes etc.

He concluded that living a healthy lifestyle was one of the most effective ways you can prevent heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2017.