Shaizan Nadaf

Kashmir is facing a severe health issue due to an alarming surge in heart attacks. This rise has left people numb and shocked, raising significant worries among residents, while health specialists have identified the primary factors contributing to this trend as high blood pressure, stress, diabetes, and a lack of physical activity

In Kashmir, with the winter season going on, an increase in cases is observed, affecting many from the young to the elderly, wherein many have succumbed due to it , while others are managing to survive with adequate care now.

“On a freezy morning, with bone chilling cold my legs shook and my arms shiver as I stepped out of my home on the way to earn my livelihood,” says Abdul Ahad, a heart attack survivor.

Ahad drives a three-wheeler auto to earn his livelihood and support his family.

“A few weeks ago, I left my house early in the morning and walked towards my vehicle to start it. As I reached near the window to open it, I experienced a sudden shortness of breath,” Ahad said. “At first, I assumed it was caused by the intense cold or a potential issue with my chest,” he added.

Ahad reflected on the incident, stating, “Before long, I began to feel a pain on my left side, and I feared it might be a heart attack. My children were sleeping, and only my wife was awake with me. I remained hopeful!”

The 32.4% of population in Kashmir suffer from hypertension, according to ICMR-INdia DIABetes (INDIAB) study (2023-2024,) which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

“I couldn’t speak, but my eyes were observing everything. I put in all my efforts, opened my vehicle’s door, and repeatedly honked the horn,” Ahad said with a sad wrinkled face. “After a few minutes, my wife emerged since she was unaware of what had happened outside. She got worried upon seeing my state.”

Later, my wife went to our neighbour and rang their doorbell to ask for assistance. I was taken to the hospital where I received good care, as it turned out to be just a minor heart attack,” he added.

“Eventually , everything I experienced was part of Allah’s will; however, our health experts provide timely essential precautions that must be prioritized for our well-being and a strong, healthy lifestyle,” Ahad ends the conversation with a smile.

In response to a rise in heart-related incidents, the Department of Cardiology of Government Medical College has issued an advisory highlighting the causes and precautions necessary to prevent heart attacks, particularly during winter.

The advisory underscores that Myocardial Infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with someone experiencing a heart attack every 40 seconds.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology identifies cold weather as one of the major triggers.

The study estimates that 10 million people globally suffer from disability, and 500,000 deaths occur annually due to low temperatures.

Cold weather has been found trigger to both minor and major heart attacks by causing blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure and the heart’s workload.

Additionally, respiratory tract infections, which are more common in winter, further strain the cardiovascular system.

The advisory asks people with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or a history of smoking or heart disease to take extra precautions. The advisory recommends staying warm, avoiding outdoor activities in cold weather, and getting vaccinated against respiratory infections. It also warns against snow shoveling, citing studies linking it to heart attacks.

A number of studies have been done on heart attacks in Kashmir. A study by the Global Health Research Institute has found that Jammu and Kashmir records 29.6% of deaths due to heart-related ailments, with 25% of these occurring in individuals aged 25-69 years.

The report highlights that urban areas see a higher death rate (32.8%) compared to rural areas (22.9%).

The study also notes a significant rise in heart attack cases during winter due to extreme cold, reduced physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Health professionals cite lack of proper equipment, shortage of senior cardiologists, and limited access to ambulances and emergency medical care as major challenges, increasing the risk of fatal complications for heart patients.