Experts in New Delhi are stressing that mental well-being plays a key role in stopping chronic diseases like heart disease from taking hold, especially as cases surge in India.
Heart problems are hitting younger people harder these days, including adults in their prime and even kids. At an event ahead of World Heart Day on September 29, Rajesh Bhushan, a former top official in India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, called for a big change. “To tackle India’s heart health crisis, we need to move away from just treating problems and focus on building real health habits in families, schools, and communities,” he said.
Bhushan pushed for weaving mental health right into everyday healthcare. He highlighted how schools can step up by teaching kids to handle stress, stay active, and build resilience. “Life’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he added. “Young people need help developing patience and balance to avoid burnout early on. Schools can swap out bad habits for good ones, boost mental wellness, and get everyone moving.”
Other experts pointed to everyday risks like mental stress, air pollution, and unhealthy lifestyles as major drivers of heart disease in India. They stressed the need for early preventive screenings to catch issues before they worsen. On a positive note, tools like digital health apps, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing cardiac care. These innovations are helping connect urban and rural areas, making heart health support more accessible across the country.
Dr. Sandeep Bansal, director at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, shared alarming stats: Nearly 60% of heart attacks in India now strike people under 55. “Cardiovascular disease isn’t just an old-age issue anymore,” he said. Prevention, he noted, costs about one-sixth as much as treatment. To make real headway, India must ramp up hypertension control, blend mental health into heart care plans, and spread awareness starting in schools. “This takes everyone—strong government policies, private sector help, and people embracing healthier choices,” Bansal emphasized.
Anil Rajput, head of the advisory council for the Illness to Wellness Foundation, praised India’s government efforts. Programs like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and PM-JAY offer early detection, preventive care, and financial aid for treatments, he said.
Fellow specialists urged routine check-ups, emotional balance, smart eating, and overall lifestyle tweaks to fight heart disease. They’re calling for a nationwide push on heart health in India, centered on raising awareness, pushing preventive screenings, prioritizing mental well-being, teaching emergency skills like CPR, and getting communities involved.
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