KATHMANDU, Oct 9: Heart attacks, once considered a health problem primarily affecting older people in Nepal, are increasingly striking younger adults, with hospital data showing a sharp rise in cases among people under 45.
At Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, around 2,000 to 2,500 heart attack patients receive treatment annually. A study conducted at the centre found that the number of patients treated for heart attacks rose from 500 in 2014 to 2,000 in 2018.
Around half of heart attack patients are under 45, according to senior cardiologist Dr Chandra Mani Adhikari of the centre. “Heart attacks that previously occurred after the age of 50 or 60 are now being seen in people as young as 30 or 35,” he said.
Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center admits around 1,400 to 1,500 patients with heart-related conditions each year. Of these, approximately 500 heart attack patients are under 45, according to cardiac surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Bhattarai. Around 150 patients undergo open-heart surgery.
Although comprehensive studies on the current prevalence of heart attacks in Nepal are lacking, Adhikari said international research estimates that around 16,000 people in the country suffer heart attacks annually.
‘Awareness among people on heart diseases has improved in Nepal...
Doctors attribute the rising number of cases among young people to sedentary lifestyles, stress, smoking and tobacco use, unhealthy diets, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. Improved detection of heart disease may also have contributed to the increase.
“Today's young people lead sedentary and highly stressful lives,” Bhattarai said, adding that increased hookah use and prolonged screen time were contributing to obesity and vascular problems.
He said changing lifestyles and growing pressure to achieve material comforts had also increased stress among young people.
Who is at risk?
People with a family history of heart attacks, smokers, those who rarely exercise and individuals who consume excessive fatty foods are at higher risk. High blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels further increase the likelihood of a heart attack.
Doctors warn that symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for gastric problems, delaying treatment. Common warning signs include chest pain, breathing difficulties, vomiting and excessive sweating. However, symptoms can vary, and some patients may experience pain in other parts of the body above the navel and below the eyes.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is severely reduced or blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen. Doctors say timely diagnosis through an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other tests is essential.
People experiencing symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. According to doctors, treatment within the first 12 hours can help reopen blocked arteries and prevent deaths. Angioplasty can restore blood flow, while clot-dissolving medication may be used where catheterization facilities are unavailable.
Adhikari said medication-based treatment services had expanded to several hospitals, including 10 hospitals in Bagmati Province. However, he stressed the need to extend such services to district hospitals across the country.
Bhattarai said limited access to specialized cardiac services remained a major challenge, with many districts lacking adequate facilities and trained personnel. Expanding cardiac care across all seven provinces, backed by essential equipment and skilled doctors, could significantly reduce deaths from heart attacks.
Doctors are urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles, undergo regular health checkups and seek immediate medical attention when warning signs appear.
