Heart attacks claim 5 lives in a single day
Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, Jan 14: Five lives were lost in a single day in parts of Kashmir on Saturday due to heart attacks, thus raising serious health concerns among the people.
As per details available, a cop from Budgam district died of a cardiac arrest at a police training center on Saturday. As per official confirmation, the deceased cop was identified as Fayaz Ahmed of the Khan Sahib area of Budgam who died of cardiac arrest at the Sheeri police training center.
In another incident, an 18-year-old girl (name withheld) a resident of the Sugan area of Shopian died of cardiac arrest, as per officials. She was a student of 12th standard.
While in Chandrigam Aishmuqam, a 52-year-old man named Nazir Ahmad Shah, son of Late Ghulam Nabi died after he suffered a heart attack.
In Safapora Ganderbal a youth identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Son of Abdul Ahad Malik died of heart attack as per official report.
In another similar incident, a 22-year-old man identified as Jan Mohammad from Puchal Pulwama died of cardiac arrest.
Meanwhile, a health expert told Kashmir Despatch that an increase in the number of deaths due to heart attacks among the young population is really a matter of serious concern.
He said that precious lives need to be saved from these sudden cardiac arrests. “This situation demands immediate attention so that many lives at risk can be saved by timely awareness programmes and preventive and diagnostic interventions,” the health official told Kashmir Despatch.
The expert claimed that the major reasons behind such heart attacks are the blockages caused in the arteries of the heart, thus obstructing the regular flow of blood and thereby leading to sudden cardiac arrest. He said preventive measures that are needed include: Change in lifestyle and complete cessation of smoking, refraining from any drug or substance abuse, reduction in salt intake if your blood pressure is on the higher side, reducing weight if one is obese or overweight with regular exercise, promoting the consumption of healthy foods- Green leafy vegetables, in particular, limiting the consumption of oils and non-vegetarian foods, particularly those high in saturated fats, avoiding unnecessary exposure to cold during the winter, especially if you live in a cold climate especially during early morning hours.
Besides these precautions, those with a family history of cardiac disease or with a history of sudden death in the family should consult a doctor for proper evaluation.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
