PESHAWAR – Heart disease is emerging as an alarming health concern among young people in Peshawar, with nearly one in every four cardiac patients falling in the 18 to 45 age group, according to an analysis of patient records from four major hospitals in the provincial capital.
The records of 8,650 cardiac patients at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital and Peshawar Institute of Cardiology show that approximately 2,090 patients, or 24.2 percent, were young adults aged between 18 and 45 years.
The figures raise serious concerns over the growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease among younger people and challenge the traditional perception that heart disease is primarily associated with old age.
Doctors and health experts say changing lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, excessive screen time, inadequate sleep and prolonged stress are among the factors that can increase cardiovascular risks.
They have urged young people to adopt healthier lifestyles and avoid excessive consumption of fast food, processed foods and soft drinks.They recommend regular walking or other physical activity, adequate water intake, sufficient sleep and reducing unnecessary screen time.
Doctors also stress the importance of managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight, while people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking or a family history of heart disease should undergo regular medical check ups.
Health experts say early detection of risk factors and timely lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the chances of serious cardiovascular complications.
The growing number of young cardiac patients in Peshawar is a warning that heart health can no longer be treated as a concern for later life.
Doctors have urged the public, particularly young people, not to ignore warning signs and not to wait for a cardiac emergency before taking preventive measures.
The same is the situation in other parts of the country. Young people are having heart diseases and losing lives. There is no proper study on this dangerous development.