Saba Qamar opens up on surviving heart attack

Celebrated actress Saba Qamar has revealed that she recently suffered a heart attack triggered by extreme mental stress — an experience that she says has changed her understanding of health, strength, and emotional well-being.

Speaking in a recent interview, the 'Kamli' and 'Baaghi' star disclosed that her condition suddenly worsened during a shoot, and she was rushed to hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a heart attack.

The actress said she underwent an angiography the following day, after which doctors advised her to take complete rest for a month. "I'm feeling much better now," she assured her fans.

Saba remarked that heart attacks are not always caused by high cholesterol — excessive physical strain and emotional stress can also weaken the heart and trigger cardiac issues.

She said people often believe they can handle any situation, but mental stress can make one seriously ill. She urged her fans to take mental health seriously and not to ignore it, warning that neglecting it can lead to further complications.

It may be recalled that on August 1, Saba Qamar was hospitalised after feeling unwell during a shoot, and doctors then advised her to take a month-long break. Pictures of the actress from the hospital had also gone viral on social media.

Earlier this month, Saba shared that filming emotionally draining scenes in her drama 'Case No. 9', in which she plays a rape survivor, had deeply affected her both mentally and physically.

In social media posts, she admitted that portraying such traumatic experiences left "a lasting impact" on her. "Being emotional during such scenes affects the actor deeply," she had written, adding that the stress from filming led to ongoing health issues.

A few days ago, she also shared a heartfelt video message on Instagram to mark World Mental Health Month, urging people to speak honestly about their emotional well-being. "Mental health is just as important as physical health," she said in the clip.

"Like everyone, I've had my own struggles too. There have been days when things felt heavy, when I didn't know who to talk to," she added, saying that seeking help and open communication played a vital role in her healing process.

Saba stressed that acknowledging emotional struggles should never be seen as a sign of weakness. "We don't talk about mental health enough, and when we do, it's often whispered as if it's something to hide. But it's not," she said.

"Talking about it is a sign of strength, not weakness," the actress continued, encouraging her followers to share routines, thoughts, or people that help them through difficult days. She urged people to reach out for support, explore available resources, and adopt small, grounding habits.

"Praying, journaling, reading, exercising, painting — even listening to music — these little habits keep me calm and centred," she said, emphasising that self-care and consistency make a real difference.

Saba also called upon teachers, parents, and mentors to be attentive to children's emotions. "Sometimes, just listening to a child or validating their feelings can make the biggest difference," she noted.