World heart day special: Tips to safeguard heart health across all ages

The heart is our most vital organ, sustaining life with every beat. As long as it keeps its rhythm, our body remains alive with energy and vibrancy. This is why the theme of World Heart Day this year “Don’t Skip a Beat” is so important. Today, heart ailments are no longer confined to the just elderly, rather it is increasingly affecting younger people as well,

Primary risk factors contributing to this this increasing trend mostly are:


1. Some cases are caused by blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

2. Others stem from irregular heart rhythms, when the heartbeat becomes too slow, too fast, or erratic.

The good news is that advances in cardiac care have made timely diagnosis and treatment far more effective than ever before.

Not long ago, a 15-year-old boy came to us who fainted while brushing his teeth. He suffered from a “short circuit” in the heart’s rhythm. Through a minimally invasive procedure called radiofrequency ablation, we were able to correct the faulty electrical pathway. He is now free from medication, and is now enjoying a normal childhood. In another instance, a 42-year-old man arrived with a pulse rate of just 32 beats per minute due to a heart attack. Without immediate intervention, his life was at grave risk. Timely treatment restored his heartbeat and gave him a second chance at life.

Such stories are not isolated. They serve as a reminder that heart disease can affect people of any age. Preventive care, prompt action, and awareness are what actually save lives. Simple actions like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising frequently, controlling stress, abstaining from tobacco, and scheduling regular heart exams have a significant impact. Let's take a pledge on this World Heart Day to pay attention to the cues our hearts give us. No one should lose their life to a skipped beat. With shared awareness and care, we can create healthier, happier communities, one heartbeat at a time.

Dr. V. P. Sharma, Director - Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Jalandhar