KARACHI, Sept 28: At least 12 Pakistanis die every hour due to heart attack while more than one third (34 per cent) of all deaths in Pakistan are caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), making it the leading non-communicable disease in the country, said experts at a seminar marking World Heart Day on Saturday.

World Heart Day is being observed across the globe on Sunday (today).

Organised at the Aga Khan University Hospital, the experts at the programme said population-based studies among persons 40 years and older found CVD prevalence of 25pc (using both clinical and ECG criteria) with higher rates in urban populations.

The CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for CVD and is associated with 7.6 million deaths globally.

In Pakistan, the experts said, prevalence of hypertension found to be 19pc in population over 15 years of age. Citing a number of different studies, they highlighted the prevalence of obesity in up to 45pc of the urban population of Pakistan as another major risk factor for CVD.

“Perhaps even more worrisome is that up to 25pc of children in Pakistan are either overweight or at risk of being overweight,” said an expert.

This year the global theme “Take the road to a healthy heart” focused on lifestyle changes to prevent and control CVDs with a special focus on women and children.

Speaking at the event, Dr Khawar Kazmi said over 60pc of Pakistan’s population was under 25 years of age and the burden of CVD in Pakistan was likely to increase phenomenally as that population aged over the next 10-15 years.

He said that unmanageable burden would result in a crippling effect on the nation’s economy and could only be controlled through effective strategies and resource allocation for prevention and treatment of CVD at both the government and non-government levels.

Dr Hasanat Sharif stressed on the importance of reliable and high-quality diagnostic and treatment facilities for those suffering from cardiac ailments.