Author: Dr Tarun Kumar

Air Pollution and Heart Attack: As Diwali approaches, pollution levels in Delhi-NCR increase. A layer of smog engulfs Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, along with surrounding areas. This time too, the air quality index of many NCR cities has reached the poor category. Due to increased pollution, people often face lung problems and breathing difficulties, but you will be surprised to know that pollution not only destroys your respiratory system but also severely affects your heart.

According to health experts, people who spend extended periods of time in polluted environments are more likely to develop heart disease than those who live in normal environments. These individuals may experience problems like sudden cardiac arrest, silent heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. In light of the rising pollution in Delhi-NCR, doctors have cautioned residents and advised them to protect themselves from pollution and stay safe.

This thing present in the body, not cholesterol, is becoming the enemy of the heart, giving a double blow to the youth.

Pollution is a major risk factor for the heart.
Professor Tarun Kumar, an interventional cardiologist at Medanta Moolchand Heart Center, explains that heart attack cases are more common in polluted cities. It has also been observed that families living near major highways are more prone to heart disease. Pollution is a major risk factor for heart disease, especially in developing countries. Controlling pollution can help prevent heart problems.

How dangerous is pollution for the heart?
Dr. Kumar says that even if you live in a polluted city and don’t smoke, you’re still inhaling as much smoke, pollutants, and chemicals as smoking 15-20 cigarettes. As you know, smoking contains at least 3,000-4,000 chemicals that damage your arteries, cause inflammation, and damage your endothelial lining, all of which increase your risk of a heart attack.

Preventive measures are essential.
Health experts are constantly advising people living in polluted cities to avoid pollution exposure. Doctors recommend staying indoors as much as possible during times of pollution and trying to keep the home environment pollution-free. For heart health, exercise regularly and stay hydrated by consuming a high-liquid diet, as well as eating nutritious food.

New Delhi (World Heart Day): India today carries one of the world’s heaviest burdens of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Accounting for nearly 28% of all deaths, CVDs have emerged as the leading cause of mortality and disability in the country.

Speaking on the occasion of World Heart Day, Dr. Tarun Kumar, Associate Director, Interventional Cardiology, Medanta Heart Institute, cautioned that heart disease is no longer confined to the elderly.

“We are witnessing heart attacks in men as young as 30 and 40 years old. What was once a disease of the 60s and 70s is now striking Indians two to three decades earlier. This is a wake-up call for the entire nation,” said Dr. Kumar.

Key Trends

Leading killer: CVDs are the number one cause of death in India.

Early onset: A significant proportion of heart attacks occur in men under 50.

High-risk profile: Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are widely prevalent and steadily increasing.

Rapid transition: India has moved quickly from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases like CVDs in just a few decades.

Lifestyle and Risk Factors

Experts point to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco and alcohol use, and high stress as the biggest drivers of this epidemic. Rising consumption of refined carbohydrates, high-fat, ultra-processed foods, and the decline in intake of fruits and whole grains are fueling the crisis.

Mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, are also worsening cardiovascular risk, while genetic predisposition in Indians makes them even more vulnerable.

Social and Economic Toll

CVDs account for a large share of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in India, with hospitalization rates significantly higher than in other populations. The economic and social burden is immense—straining healthcare systems and families alike.

Globally, the CDC reports that nearly 18.2 million adults (6.7%) in the U.S. live with coronary artery disease (CAD). In India, prevalence ranges from 1.6% to 7.4% in rural areas and 1% to 13.2% in urban populations.

The Way Forward

Dr. Tarun Kumar emphasized that prevention is the only real solution:

“Balanced diets, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing stress must become part of our culture. Parents, teachers, and communities have a shared responsibility to ensure our children grow up active and heart-healthy. Without urgent lifestyle changes, India faces an unprecedented heart disease epidemic.”

On the occasion of World Heart Day, Moolchand Medicity Hospital in South Delhi turned the spotlight inward—on doctors themselves—by organizing a special awareness camp focused on coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. More than 120 senior doctors from across South Delhi attended the initiative, which emphasized the importance of preventive heart care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

The camp began at 8:30 a.m. with detailed screenings that included vital checks, lipid testing, and advanced coronary calcium scoring. Each participant was also provided with an individualized cardiac risk assessment, giving them a personalized understanding of their heart health status.

The highlight of the event was an address by Dr. Tarun Kumar, Organising Chairman and an expert in cardiac risk assessment, who spoke candidly about the growing threat of heart disease. “Empowering doctors with up-to-date cardiac screenings and risk assessment tools not only benefits their well-being but also strengthens their advocacy for preventive cardiology among patients,” he said.

Beyond the camp’s immediate purpose, the event drew attention to a sobering reality—India’s heavy burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVDs are now the leading cause of death and disability in the country, accounting for nearly 28% of all fatalities. What makes the situation particularly alarming is the early onset of disease. Many Indians, especially men, suffer heart attacks well before the age of 50, a trend rarely seen in Western populations.

Experts attribute this to a mix of lifestyle changes, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, rising stress levels, and even genetic predisposition. The shift from traditional rural diets to processed and high-fat foods, coupled with reduced physical activity in urban settings, has only added fuel to the crisis. Smoking and alcohol use further heighten risks, while increasing rates of depression and anxiety create another layer of vulnerability.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary artery disease affects nearly 18.2 million adults worldwide, including about 6.7% of adults over 20 years of age. In India, prevalence rates vary but remain concerning—ranging from 1.6% to 7.4% in rural populations and up to 13.2% in urban settings.

The economic and social toll of heart disease in India is equally significant. Rising hospitalization rates, long-term disability, and premature deaths strain both families and healthcare systems, making prevention and awareness more critical than ever.

By hosting this camp, Moolchand Medicity Hospital not only provided doctors with crucial preventive tools but also sent a powerful message—heart health begins with awareness and early action. The event concluded with an interactive lunch, where doctors exchanged insights and personal reflections, reinforcing the importance of staying vigilant about their own health while guiding patients towards better heart care.

As India continues to grapple with its escalating cardiovascular crisis, initiatives like these remind us that World Heart Day is not just symbolic—it is a call to action.