Karachi: Pakistani youth, particularly young men, are increasingly falling victim to early heart attacks and premature deaths because of physical inactivity, poor diet and high rates of smoking, warns Dr. Usman Faheem, Head of Cardiology at Aga Khan University (AKU).
Speaking at an awareness during a health camp organized at the Karachi Press Club on World Heart Day, he called the trend “alarming but preventable,” and urged young people to change their lifestyle habits before it is too late.
“Spend at least 45 minutes to an hour daily on physical activity, whether it is exercise, brisk walking or playing a sport. Eat home-cooked meals with plenty of vegetables and fruits, avoid junk food and smoking, and ensure proper sleep. These simple steps can help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of early heart attacks that we are now seeing far too frequently in Pakistan,” he said.
The health camp, jointly organized by the Karachi Press Club Health Committee and Aga Khan University Hospital, offered free check-ups including ECGs, echocardiograms and consultations for journalists and their families. A team of AKU cardiologists and technicians conducted the examinations, highlighting the institution’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about heart disease prevention.
Dr. Faheem emphasized that while Pakistan has the medical expertise and facilities to conduct heart transplants, the absence of an organ donation culture and effective legislation is a major barrier. “We need to encourage posthumous organ donation and have a strong legal framework to support it. Otherwise, we will remain unable to save countless lives that could benefit from heart transplants,” he added.
He warned that if no urgent preventive measures are taken, the rising incidence of heart disease among the younger population could reach the level of a “national tragedy.” Sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits and long working hours without exercise, he said, are fueling an epidemic of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions.
Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili thanked the AKU team for holding the camp, saying that the club always prioritized the health and well-being of its members and their families. “Such initiatives are essential because journalists rarely get the time to focus on their own health. By bringing services under one roof, we are helping them access quality care,” he said.
KPC Secretary Sohail Afzal added that the club not only arranges recreational activities but also considers health a top priority. “We regularly organize medical camps and are working to establish partnerships with reputable health institutions to provide timely and affordable healthcare for our members and their families,” he said.
Karachi Press Club Health Committee Secretary Hamid-ur-Rehman said the committee has been actively arranging medical camps, awareness sessions and health screenings in collaboration with leading hospitals to safeguard the well-being of its members and their families.
“Our aim is to ensure that journalists, who often neglect their own health due to professional demands, can access quality medical advice and preventive care at their own club. From cardiac check-ups to eye camps and vaccination drives, we are committed to providing comprehensive health support and promoting a culture of healthy living within the journalistic community,” he noted.
The event was also attended by KPC Governing Body member Mona Siddiqui, Qazi Yasir, Kafeel Ahmed, Health Committee Secretary Hameed-ur-Rehman and senior journalist Tufail Ahmed, alongside AKU’s medical professionals.
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