Alarming trend: 50% of heart attacks in Pakistan strike between ages 30 to 50

ISLAMABAD: Sounding a serious alarm, cardiologists on Sunday expressed deep concern over the rising wave of heart attacks among people aged 30 to 50, with nearly half of the cases among those under 49 mostly due to careless lifestyle habits including poor sleep, chronic stress and unbalanced diet.

Speaking exclusively to a local news channel, cardiologist Dr. Abdul Hakim expressed deep concern over the rising number of heart attacks among people aged 30 to 50.

“We are witnessing a disturbing trend where young, otherwise healthy people are succumbing to heart attacks, often without any prior warning signs,” he said.

Dr. Hakim attributed the rise to a dangerous combination of lack of sleep, unmanaged stress, sedentary lifestyle and highly processed food.

He stressed the urgent need to correct lifestyle, especially among working professionals who often ignore early symptoms and health warnings. He added that according to the latest report by the National Institute for Heart, about 47 percent of heart attack cases in the country now occur in people under the age of 50, a clear increase compared to the past decades.

The report highlighted that irregular sleep patterns, high caffeine intake, smoking, poor physical activity and a rapid increase in stress-related diseases are major contributing factors.

He added that the institute recommends regular cardiovascular screening after the age of 30, daily physical activity, a balanced diet and prioritizing mental health to take immediate steps to curb this growing epidemic. Experts say that public awareness and proactive lifestyle changes are the only way to end this deadly trend.

Adding to the concern, Dr. Jahangir Ali Shah, another senior cardiologist and public health advocate, said that the rise in heart attacks in younger age groups is not just a medical problem but a growing public health crisis.

“What we are seeing is the cumulative effect of poor lifestyle choices made over the years by people who skip sleep, live on junk food, are constantly glued to screens and are constantly under stress,” he explained.

Dr. Shah warned that this trend could overwhelm the healthcare system if immediate lifestyle reforms are not made at both the individual and societal levels. He urged workplaces, schools and communities to actively promote heart health through preventive education and early intervention programs.

In their closing remarks, both Dr. Abdul Hakim and Dr. Jahangir Ali Shah emphasized that heart disease is no longer a condition of the elderly but is now affecting the younger population at an alarming rate.

Awareness, lifestyle changes were emphasized.

They emphasized that this growing threat can be prevented through timely awareness, regular health check-ups and conscious lifestyle changes.

The experts urged individuals aged 30 to 50 to take personal responsibility for their health by managing stress, adopting a heart-healthy diet, maintaining physical activity and prioritizing adequate sleep.

They also called on policymakers and the healthcare community to intensify public education campaigns and ensure accessible heart care to prevent further increase in heart disease at a young age.