The Indian heart has long been more prone to blockages than its Western counterpart, a vulnerability that has translated into a higher incidence of heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and strokes. The pandemic and COVID-19 appear to have accelerated this trend further. What’s especially alarming is that this is no longer a condition confined to older age groups. People in their prime, 20s, 30s, and 40s, are increasingly falling victim to this silent killer, and we are even seeing isolated cases of teenagers fainting or passing away without warning.
It would be easy to point a finger at the vaccine. But the early onset of heart disease has been documented even among unvaccinated individuals, with some reports suggesting that one in four deaths in our country is now linked to heart disease. This raises an uncomfortable question: are we simply delaying diagnosis until it’s too late, or is our changed lifestyle the real culprit? Perhaps it’s a combination of both.
Whatever the cause of this silent epidemic, the responsibility now falls on each of us to look out for those closest to us, and to take the advice of heart specialists seriously. Many now recommend that screenings begin as early as age 18. If no red flags emerge, a five-year screening interval is generally considered safe. But even minor inconsistencies in lipid profiles or blood sugar levels warrant closer monitoring, with checkups every two years alongside consistent attention to diet and lifestyle.
I write this with a personal stake in the matter. My own family has witnessed a 40-year-old succumb to heart disease, and that loss has only deepened my resolve to make sure this issue is taken seriously, before it’s too late for someone else.
In this issue, we particularly highlight the individuals working tirelessly to make our lives safer, easing the fear and uncertainty that so many families face when a loved one is affected by cardiovascular disease. I come from an engineering background, not a medical one, but the depth of research I’ve put into this subject over the years has given me a working understanding I hope earns me the right to write this note.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to every cardiologist in this country who continues to put patients first, often at the cost of their own comfort and time, whenever and wherever they’re needed.
