ISLAMABAD: Heart disease is rapidly emerging as a major public health challenge in Pakistan, with unhealthy diets, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and lack of physical activity contributing to a growing burden of cardiovascular illnesses. Once largely associated with older age groups, cardiac conditions are increasingly affecting younger people as well.

Dr. Syed Nasir Ali Gardezi, Director of the Cardiac Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Associate Professor, has warned that changing lifestyles and unhealthy daily habits are playing a significant role in the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sada-e-Sach TV, hosted by Syed Tabassum Abbas Shah, he revealed that approximately one in every three Pakistanis above the age of 45 either suffers from diabetes, hypertension or a cardiac condition, or faces a significant risk associated with these diseases.

He also referred to estimates suggesting that around 100 heart attack cases are registered across Pakistan every day, describing the figures as a serious indication of the country’s growing cardiovascular health burden.

Lifestyle Changes Behind the Growing Cardiac Crisis

Explaining the changing pattern of diseases, he observed that cardiovascular conditions have become a major health concern in developing countries, with their burden increasingly resembling that of developed nations.

He noted that the distinction between rural and urban populations in terms of cardiac risks is also becoming less pronounced.

According to him, unhealthy eating habits, irregular sleeping patterns, excessive consumption of fast food and energy drinks, obesity, smoking, environmental pressures and psychological stress are among the major factors contributing to the growing incidence of heart disease.

He emphasised that maintaining a healthy heart requires a disciplined lifestyle, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and proper weight management.

Fast Food, Soft Drinks and Late-Night Eating Under Scrutiny

Highlighting changing dietary habits, he expressed concern over the growing consumption of fast food, sugary beverages and calorie-rich meals among Pakistanis.

He dismissed the common perception that drinking carbonated beverages after a heavy meal improves digestion, explaining that such drinks may instead aggravate digestive discomfort.

He recommended making breakfast an important part of the daily diet, maintaining balanced meals and avoiding heavy dinners late at night.

Fruits, vegetables, salads and other nutritious foods, he stressed, should form an essential part of everyday meals, while processed foods, excessive sugar and unhealthy fats should be consumed sparingly.

Does Desi Ghee Really Protect Against Health Problems?

Addressing the widespread use of traditional desi ghee in Pakistani households, he explained that describing ghee as traditional or homemade does not change its chemical composition or eliminate the risks associated with excessive saturated fat consumption.

The quantity and type of fat consumed are important considerations when assessing cardiovascular risks, he pointed out.

He added that olive oil, mustard oil and other vegetable oils can be suitable components of a balanced diet, but even these should be used in moderation.

People with diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels or a family history of heart disease, he advised, should pay particular attention to their dietary choices.

45 Minutes of Walking Can Make a Difference

Emphasising preventive healthcare, he recommended approximately 45 minutes of walking five days a week as part of a healthy routine.

Maintaining around 6,000 to 10,000 daily steps may also help individuals remain physically active and support overall metabolic health, he added.

He urged people to regularly monitor their body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Preventing heart disease requires more than medication, he stressed, adding that lifestyle modifications, regular exercise and healthy eating habits are equally important.

Diabetes Significantly Increases the Risk of Heart Disease

Describing diabetes as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, he warned that people with uncontrolled blood sugar face a substantially higher risk of developing serious heart complications.

Individuals with prediabetes should also take the condition seriously, as damage to blood vessels and increased cardiovascular risks can begin before diabetes fully develops.

Explaining the importance of the HbA1c test, he said readings between 5.7 and 6.4 per cent generally indicate prediabetes, while a level of 6.5 per cent or above falls within the diagnostic range for diabetes, subject to appropriate clinical confirmation.

He further explained that doctors generally aim to maintain HbA1c below seven per cent in many diabetic patients, although individual targets vary according to age, medical history and overall health.

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Threat to the Heart

Warning against the dangers of hypertension, he described high blood pressure as a silent killer because many people remain unaware of the condition in its early stages due to the absence of noticeable symptoms.

Prolonged uncontrolled hypertension can damage the heart, kidneys, brain and blood vessels, he cautioned.

He clarified that a single elevated blood pressure reading is not sufficient to establish a diagnosis. Repeated measurements under appropriate conditions and, where necessary, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can provide a more reliable assessment.

Regular screening is particularly important for people with diabetes, kidney disease or a family history of cardiovascular problems, he advised.

Rapid Heartbeat May Also Be Linked to Thyroid Problems

A normal resting heart rate for most healthy adults generally ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute, he explained.

However, abnormalities in thyroid function can also affect heart rate. An overactive thyroid may cause an unusually rapid heartbeat, while an underactive thyroid can slow it down.

He warned that persistently elevated heart rates can place additional strain on the heart muscle and, in certain cases, weaken its pumping ability, potentially leading to heart failure.

People experiencing persistent palpitations or irregular heartbeats should seek medical evaluation rather than ignore the symptoms, he stressed.

Smoking and Cannabis Pose Serious Risks to Young People

Expressing concern over the increasing use of cigarettes and cannabis among young people, he said that both active smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke can seriously affect cardiovascular health.

Tobacco smoke increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and several types of cancer, he explained.

He also cautioned that cannabis use may trigger spasms in coronary arteries, potentially restricting blood flow to the heart and increasing the risk of a heart attack, even among individuals without previously identified cardiac problems.

Young people, he urged, should avoid smoking and recreational drugs to protect their long-term health.

Chest Pain Should Never Be Mistaken for Simple Gastric Problems

One of the most important aspects of the interview concerned the recognition of heart attack symptoms.

He explained that pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest, particularly when accompanied by pain spreading towards the arms, jaw, neck or back, could indicate a heart attack.

Other warning signs may include cold sweating, nausea, vomiting, breathlessness and severe discomfort.

He expressed concern that many people in Pakistan mistakenly attribute chest pain to gastric problems or muscular discomfort, resulting in dangerous delays in seeking medical assistance.

Anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of a heart attack should immediately contact emergency medical services and reach the nearest hospital, he emphasised.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial in limiting permanent damage to the heart muscle, he added.

More Than 6,000 Angiography and Angioplasty Procedures Performed

Sharing details of his professional experience, he disclosed that he had performed more than 6,000 angiography and angioplasty procedures during his medical career.

He explained that angioplasty, which involves opening blocked coronary arteries and placing a stent where clinically required, is an important modern treatment option for patients suffering from acute heart attacks.

PIMS provides a 24-hour primary PCI service for heart attack patients, enabling emergency cardiac intervention when clinically indicated, he said.

The PIMS Cardiac Centre has a capacity of approximately 100 to 150 beds and offers specialised services in cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, nuclear cardiology, angiography, emergency care and critical cardiac treatment.

He added that modern treatment facilities are being introduced and expanded, particularly in the electrophysiology department.

The hospital is also working towards establishing a dedicated stroke unit to improve treatment facilities for stroke patients and reduce long-term disability associated with the condition.

Are Garlic and Dry Fruits Beneficial for Heart Health?

Discussing commonly used household foods, he said almonds, walnuts and pistachios can be included in a balanced diet, provided they are consumed in moderate quantities.

He cautioned against excessive consumption of salted dry fruits because their high sodium content may contribute to increased blood pressure.

Garlic can also be included in everyday meals as part of a healthy diet, he explained. However, it should never be considered a substitute for prescribed medication for cholesterol or hypertension.

Can Emotional Stress Actually Break a Heart?

In an interesting part of the conversation, host Syed Tabassum Abbas Shah raised questions about the scientific connection between emotions, heartbreak and the human heart.

Responding to the question, the cardiologist explained that emotions are primarily regulated by the brain and nervous system, but they can significantly influence heart rate and cardiac function.

He referred to Broken Heart Syndrome, a medically recognised condition in which severe emotional or physical stress can temporarily weaken the heart muscle.

Also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the condition demonstrates how closely emotional stress and cardiovascular health are connected.

Describing the human heart as an extraordinary and vital organ, he explained that its electrical conduction system plays a fundamental role in maintaining the body’s circulation.

A Message to Pakistanis: Prevention Begins With Everyday Choices

Concluding the interview, he urged people to take greater responsibility for their health and recognise that prevention is often more effective than waiting for a disease to develop.

He recommended maintaining a healthy weight, eating balanced meals, following regular sleeping patterns, walking daily, avoiding smoking and recreational drugs, and limiting the consumption of fast food and sugary beverages.

He also advised regular medical assessments, including blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c and cholesterol testing, particularly for individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease.

“Treatment is not limited to medicines. A substantial part of maintaining good health depends on lifestyle, dietary discipline and preventive measures,” was the central message of his discussion.

The interview highlighted an important reality: protecting the heart is not merely a medical responsibility but a daily commitment that begins with healthier choices at home and in everyday life.

ISLAMABAD:Mainly hot and humid weather is expected to prevail over most plain areas of the country on Thursday, while partly cloudy conditions are likely in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast.

In Islamabad and adjoining areas, hot and humid weather is expected during the day, while rain-wind/thunderstorm is likely during evening/night with a probability of 30 percent.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, most plain districts are expected to experience hot and humid weather. However, upper districts are likely to remain partly cloudy, with chances of rain-wind/thunderstorm in Waziristan, Hangu, Kurram, Kohat and adjoining areas during the afternoon.

In Punjab, mainly hot and humid weather is expected over most districts. However, partly cloudy conditions with chances of rain-wind/thundershower are likely in Murree, Galiyat and adjoining areas during the afternoon.

In Sindh, mainly hot and humid weather is expected over most districts, while coastal areas, including Karachi, are likely to remain partly cloudy with chances of drizzle.

Most districts of Balochistan are also expected to experience hot and humid weather, while partly cloudy conditions are likely in coastal areas.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to experience partly cloudy and dry weather.

During the past 24 hours, weather remained hot and humid over most plain areas of the country, while isolated light rain occurred in Gilgit-Baltistan. Babusar received 5 millimetres of rain.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Wednesday were 43 C at Nokkundi, Dalbandin and Sibbi, while Bhakkar and Noor Pur Thal recorded 42 C.

The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in major cities were: Islamabad 24/36 C, Lahore 28/38 C, Karachi 26/34 C, Peshawar 26/38 C, Quetta 16/35 C, Gilgit 14/36 C, Muzaffarabad 22/37 C, Skardu 12/29 C, Murree 14/23 C, Faisalabad 27/38 C and Multan 27/37 C.

In Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramulla, the temperatures remained at 15/32 C, 25/34 C, 7/23 C, 16/34 C, 17/31 C, 15/34 C and 16/32 C, respectively.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is supervising more than 30 licensed childcare centers in Makkah and Madinah during the Hajj 1447 AH season to support pilgrims’ families and seasonal field workers.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the centers have been prepared to accommodate up to 900 children in safe and professionally supervised environments during the Hajj season.

The report said the facilities provide educational and recreational activities for children of pilgrims, Umrah performers and workers performing field duties during Hajj operations.

Authorities said the initiative aims to reduce pressure on families and enable parents to perform Hajj rituals or official duties with greater peace of mind while their children remain in secure care centers.

The ministry added that the childcare facilities are operating under organized supervision to ensure proper care, safety and quality services for children throughout the Hajj season.

SPA told APP that the initiative supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by improving family support services linked to pilgrims’ comfort and enhancing the overall Hajj experience.