Prevent heart disease: Expert insights and lifestyle changes for a healthier future

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, yet many cases are preventable with early awareness and lifestyle changes. Raising awareness about cardiovascular health is crucial to reducing the burden of heart-related illnesses.
Many people remain unaware of risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Stress and sedentary lifestyles also contribute significantly to heart diseases. Symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat are often ignored until it is too late.
Spreading awareness helps individuals adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced diets, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
To increase awareness around heart diseases, TOI organised a medithon recently with several experts in attendance. The event was held in four sessions. Watch TOI Medithon here.
Strategies to Prevent Heart Diseases : Know your numbers
Heart health plays a crucial role in longevity, and leading cardiologists emphasize the importance of fitness, lifestyle changes, and weight management in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. C. V. Patil, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Sri Sai Cardiac Center, Kolhapur, highlights that longevity depends on three key factors: cardiorespiratory fitness, lean muscle mass, and resting heart rate. Maintaining these aspects ensures a healthier heart and a longer life.
Dr. V. S. Prakash, Professor and Head of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at M.S. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bangalore, stresses the impact of lifestyle choices on heart health. He warns that stress significantly raises blood pressure and increases cardiac risk by triggering inflammation. To maintain a healthy heart, he advises a balanced diet—low in animal fat and rich in plant-based foods. He also emphasizes that quality sleep is essential for cardiovascular well-being.
Dr. Jitendra Pal Singh Sawhney, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology at Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi, highlights the growing concern of obesity and its impact on heart health. He notes that obesity is rising globally, and India ranks third among nations with the highest obese population, making it a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
These expert insights underscore the need for regular exercise, a nutritious diet, stress management, and maintaining a healthy weight to ensure long-term heart health.
Heart Diseases and Youngsters
With the rising incidence of heart disease among young individuals, leading cardiologists emphasize the need for preventive measures, stress management, and holistic lifestyle changes to maintain heart health.
Dr. Suhas Hardas, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Hardas Heart Care, Pune, highlights the alarming rise of heart disease in youngsters. He attributes this trend to unhealthy diets, obesity, smoking, vaping, diabetes, and mental stress, all of which contribute to the early onset of heart attacks. Young individuals must adopt a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a stress-free lifestyle to protect their hearts.
Dr. Jabir A, Senior Consultant & Director of Clinical Research, Cardiology, at Lisie Hospital, Ernakulam, underscores the importance of stress management. He points out that many youngsters face job-related stress, which can take a toll on their heart health. He advises individuals to find joy in their work and maintain a work-life balance to prevent stress from disrupting their circadian rhythm and overall well-being.
Dr. Dilip Kumar, Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, and Chief Academic Coordinator at Medica Super Specialty Hospital, Kolkata, advocates for a holistic approach to heart health. He cautions against misconceptions, emphasizing that no one is immune to cardiac issues. Youngsters should stay informed, make healthy lifestyle choices, and avoid believing in myths about heart disease.
These expert insights reinforce the need for early awareness, lifestyle modifications, and proactive heart care to prevent cardiovascular diseases in young individuals.
Managing Heart Disease
Cardiologists emphasize the importance of awareness, discipline, and preventive measures in maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Vikas Aggarwal, Interventional Cardiologist at Anandi Heart and Maternity Clinic, Varanasi, stresses the need to “know your numbers”—including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI. Understanding these metrics allows individuals to take informed steps toward better heart health.
Dr. Rahul Patil, Consultant Cardiologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, highlights the rising incidence of heart attacks in young individuals and the urgent need for lifestyle changes. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, which includes waking up early, eating a heart-healthy diet, and eliminating bad habits like smoking. A well-structured routine plays a crucial role in reducing cardiac risks.
Dr. Vinit Kumar, Consultant Cardiologist at Heart Hospital, Patna, advises individuals to regularly monitor their body weight and BMI as part of their heart care routine. Keeping track of these indicators can help in early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
These expert insights highlight the need for awareness, a disciplined lifestyle, and regular health monitoring to ensure a healthy heart.
Heart Disease in Women: The known and the unknown
Leading cardiologists emphasize the growing concern of heart attacks among women, stressing the need for awareness, early symptom recognition, and stress management.
Dr. Anupam Goel, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi, highlights the increasing number of heart attack cases in young women. He attributes this to high stress levels, as many women juggle multiple responsibilities, balancing work, family, and personal life. Managing stress and prioritizing heart health is essential to reducing these risks.
Dr. Asha Mahilmaran, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, stresses the importance of recognizing early signs and symptoms of a heart attack. She explains that it is crucial to differentiate non-specific chest pain from heart attack-related chest pain. While general tiredness or a feeling of unease can be due to chronic illnesses, heart attack symptoms often include sudden breathlessness or extreme fatigue during physical activities like climbing stairs. Individuals should seek medical attention if they feel unusually exhausted after minimal exertion.
These insights underline the importance of stress management, early diagnosis, and lifestyle modifications to protect women’s heart health.
By increasing awareness, we can reduce heart disease-related deaths and improve overall public health. Prevention is always better than cure, and knowledge is the first step toward a healthier heart.