PANA Seminar Highlights Rising Heart Disease Threat Among Youth and Importance of Preventive Health

KARACHI (Staff Reporter): Experts have warned of a sharp increase in heart-related diseases among young people, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, lifestyle changes, and preventive healthcare measures.

The remarks were made during a seminar titled “Growing Diseases Among Youth,” organized at the auditorium of Al-Nimra College of Nursing, Health and Sciences by Muhammad Aslam Khan, Sindh ambassador of the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANA) and founder of AlNimra Nursing College.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Aslam Khan said that cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. He noted that, according to global health data, millions of people die each year due to heart-related illnesses, with heart attacks and strokes accounting for a majority of these deaths.

He explained that a healthy resting heart rate should remain between 60 to 100 beats per minute and stressed that maintaining this range requires daily care, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle habits.

He further stated that PANA continues to work in humanitarian health services, awareness campaigns, and preventive healthcare initiatives across Pakistan.

President of PANA, Retired General Masood-ur-Rehman Kiyani, said that diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions are rapidly increasing among children, youth, and adults.

He emphasized the importance of daily exercise, reduced consumption of sugar and salt, and avoiding unhealthy street and processed foods to prevent rising health risks.

He stressed that collective efforts are required to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and called for stronger public awareness campaigns.

General Secretary Sanaullah Ghuman said that PANA, a national health organization, is actively engaged in providing treatment services for heart patients, including angiography, angioplasty, and open-heart surgeries.

He added that the organization also conducts free medical camps, CPR training sessions, and awareness programs on a regular basis, while also providing treatment support for children with congenital heart diseases.

The seminar also included CPR training sessions for nursing students, along with expert talks by medical professionals including Professor Naeemuddin and Professor Mati-ur-Rehman on heart health and disease prevention.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Nimra Farooq, who appreciated the participation of speakers, students, and health professionals in promoting awareness about cardiovascular health.