ISLAMABAD: Surgeon General of Pakistan Army Lt Gen Nigar Johar on Sunday said the gradual increase in heart diseases and related deaths in children and adolescents was traumatic.

Speaking at a seminar in connection with the “World Heart Day” organised by Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah), she said development of the country was not possible without an educated and healthy society.

“Tobacco, sweets and greasy products that are used in daily life are the main reasons for heart attacks. Every minute and a half, a person loses his life due to heart diseases. There is a need to have an effective strategy to prevent the causes of heart diseases so that a healthy society can thrive,” she said.

Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) Executive Director Major General Farhan Tayyab said once the mortality rate from infectious diseases such as hypertension and diabetes was very low but the situation gradually changed as simple foods were replaced by poultry foods, fresh fruit juice by artificial drinks, cycling with motorcycles and cars, and playgrounds in educational institutions and streets disappeared, children started spending more time while watching TV and using the internet.

“Today the result is in front of everyone. Though people have progressed rapidly they could not give proper attention to their health,” he said.

Panah President retired Major General Masoodur Rehman Kayani said heart diseases have become the leading cause of death in Pakistan, which continues to rise to alarming levels, according to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). On an average, 1,100 people die from heart attacks every day.

“The first symptom of the disease in more than 50pc of patients is a heart attack,” he said.

Panah General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman said one of the major causes of heart disease is smoking.

“We should make maximum use of natural foods, vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, milk and fresh water, so that we could avoid life-threatening diseases, value life, and a healthy society can only be built by healthy people,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.