Karnataka govt to receive final expert report on rising heart attacks among youth

The Karnataka Health Department is all set to receive a crucial final report prepared by a panel of medical experts on the alarming rise in heart attack cases across the state, particularly among the youth. The report, which will be officially submitted to the government today, is the outcome of a thorough investigation conducted under the leadership of senior cardiologists, including the Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

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This investigation was launched in response to the growing number of sudden cardiac-related deaths in young individuals. The committee studied the lifestyle, medical history, and environmental factors of over 250 people to identify major triggers and propose corrective actions.

According to the expert findings, passive smoking has emerged as a major hidden threat contributing to heart problems. The report strongly recommends enforcing stricter controls on public smoking and launching state-wide awareness campaigns to limit exposure to second-hand smoke.

Other key contributors highlighted include high salt and sugar intake, excessive screen time, and poor sleeping habits. The committee has recommended reducing salt and sugar levels in daily diets and urges people to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep. Special attention is given to children and teens, as mobile screen addiction and sedentary routines are increasingly becoming silent causes of stress and early cardiac risk.

Among the major recommendations:

• Mandatory heart screening for all SSLC students and children below the age of 15.
• Promotion of physical activity in schools.
• Psychological support programs to reduce stress among youth.
• Registration and post-mortem of all sudden youth deaths across the state to better understand unknown cardiac risks.
• Clear clarification that COVID-19 vaccination is not linked to the rise in heart-related deaths, as per findings.

The report features over 20 actionable suggestions, aiming to assist the government in policy-making to reduce preventable heart-related deaths in Karnataka. With youth being the most affected, experts believe swift and strict public health interventions are the need of the hour.