Alarmed by the increasing number of heart attacks and cardiac-related deaths among young people, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched its World Heart Day campaign, “Heart Over Habit,” urging immediate lifestyle changes. The campaign encourages individuals to abandon harmful habits and adopt healthier routines for long-term heart health.
Once considered illnesses of old age, cardiovascular diseases are now affecting people in their 30s and 40s. Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, smoking, unmanaged stress, and neglect of regular check-ups are among the key drivers of this worrying trend. To counter this, AKUH partnered with Docs on Wheels and Karachi’s cycling community to spread awareness and promote healthier choices.
As part of the World Heart Day activities, AKUH’s Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery organized a vibrant red-themed mini-marathon on September 21. Leaders, faculty, students, and staff walked side by side in red attire, sending a strong message that it is time to prioritize “Heart Over Habit,” stay active, and invest in long-term cardiac health.
Carrying the spirit forward, AKUH also hosted a World Heart Day cycling ride, with doctors, nurses, students, and cyclists from Karachi pedaling together from the AKU Sports and Rehabilitation Center to Boat Basin. The collective ride symbolized a journey from harmful habits to healthy choices while highlighting the critical role of physical activity in preventing heart disease.
Commenting on the growing burden of heart disease among youth, Professor Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO, AKU Health System, Pakistan, said: “The rising incidence of heart attacks among young people is a reminder that cardiovascular disease stems from our own choices. ‘Heart Over Habit’ calls on us to stay active, eat healthy, manage stress, and reduce risks like smoking and hypertension, because prevention is far stronger than cure.”
Professor Dr. Saulat Fatimi, cardiothoracic surgeon at AKUH, added that heart disease often remains silent until it becomes life-threatening. “We see many patients who could have avoided angioplasty or bypass surgery if they had made lifestyle changes earlier and undergone regular screenings.”
Through its World Heart Day campaign, AKUH emphasizes that protecting the heart begins with daily choices. “Heart Over Habit” is more than a slogan; it is a pledge for a healthier future, where prevention is prioritized and every heartbeat counts.
