The Medical Centre of the University of Karachi in collaboration with the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) organized a health awareness session which was held at the KU’s Chinese Teacher Memorial Auditorium, under the “Fantastic 4” campaign on Thursday.
Renowned cardiologists and health experts expressed serious concern over the alarming rise in cases of heart attacks among young people in Pakistan. They highlighted that the primary cause behind the increasing prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol in Pakistan is the lack of healthy lifestyle practices.
They mentioned that while the global focus is shifting toward natural and preventive health approaches, Pakistan has yet to witness any meaningful change in this direction. Despite advancements in medical treatments and increased consumption of medication, there has been little serious attention paid to lifestyle modification.
The experts also called on the government to take proactive steps to promote healthy living and raise public awareness so that individuals can make informed health decisions. They emphasized the importance of working with the younger generation to spread awareness, particularly at universities and colleges, which can play a pivotal role in prevention and education. They advocated for instilling awareness at the school and community levels about the importance of exercise and balanced nutrition to curb the rising trend of heart disease.
The Executive Director of NICVD Professor Dr Tahir Saghir stressed that relying solely on medication and hospitals is not sufficient to address Pakistan’s health challenges. He urged that there is a pressing need to change lifestyle habits—such as engaging in proper physical activity, monitoring food quantity and quality, and adopting stress-reduction techniques.
He pointed out that citizens are not anymore attached with nature, they don’t like to walk or use cycles for short distance. He mentioned that people in many countries have realized the importance of health but this is not a scenario in Pakistan.
The Head of Department of Preventive Cardiology of NICVD Dr Khawar Kazmi mentioned that health professionals emphasized that without changes in daily habits—such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and mental well-being—preventing these diseases is not possible.
He warned that the surge in heart attacks among youth is driven by factors including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, tobacco use in various forms, fast food consumption, and unhealthy living patterns.
Dr Khawar Kazmi noted that heart disease was once predominantly seen in older adults, but now cases among younger individuals are rising rapidly. Contributing factors include lack of physical activity, mental stress, and sleep deprivation. He advised young people to adopt a balanced diet, make daily exercise a routine, avoid smoking, and undergo regular medical checkups to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
He stated that over the past 20–25 years, it has become evident that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Pakistan. Despite this knowledge, the response has been slow and inadequate. He urged that it is time to prioritize this issue and take practical steps toward its resolution.
He pointed out that in Pakistan, treatment typically begins only after diagnosis, whereas the best approach to healthcare is preventive checkups before the onset of illness—a practice unfortunately rare in society. Timely diagnosis of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help avoid complications.
The Head Department of Nutrition NICVD Sidra Raza gave detail presentation on what to eat and why skipping diets is not healthy for humans.
The KU’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi emphasized that awareness and preventive measures regarding heart disease are essential for a healthy life. He said that we are a nation that believes in recovery after disaster, but we fail to prioritize precaution before adversity.
He stressed the need to change lifestyle habits and seek guidance from qualified professionals rather than relying on “Dr Google.” The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi noted that traditional Pakistani diets once emphasized moderation and balance, but the fast-paced lifestyle has led people toward artificial and instant foods, which directly impact health.
He added that if you don’t have time for your own life, there is no greater misfortune. The goal of life is not just to live longer, but to live better. No one can change your life unless you choose to do so yourself.
Earlier, the Consultant KU Medical Center Dr Akmal Waheed briefed the audience about the four day long activity conducted at the KU’s Arts Lobby which tested and recorded health status of students and employees.