Medical Experts Warn Of Year-Round Heart Attack Risks In Kashmir

Heart attacks and strokes are no longer confined to winter in Jammu and Kashmir, as such cases are now being reported throughout the year, with young people also falling victim, doctors said on the occasion of World Heart Day.

- Agencies

They said — urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, fast food consumption, stress, and uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes are the main reasons.

Cardiologists from leading tertiary healthcare institutions in the valley said the number of cardiac emergencies has almost doubled in the last five years, and it is increasing with each passing year.

The rise is evident from the sharp increase in stent procedures and pacemaker implantations being carried out at hospitals such as SKIMS, SMHS and other hospitals, they said.

Dr Ashraf Mir, a cardiologist at a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar, said that not only has the volume of cases risen, but the very pattern of heart attacks has changed.

“Earlier, we would see far fewer cases in summer compared to winter, but now heart attacks are reported across all seasons. What is more worrying is the growing number of young patients—something we rarely encountered two decades ago,” he said.

According to him, pollution, drug abuse, unhealthy diets, and lack of exercise are all fueling hypertension and diabetes, which act as precursors to heart attacks.