A Morning Walk That Ended in Silence
By: Javid Amin| 14 September 2025
It was a crisp autumn morning in Srinagar. Twenty-seven-year-old Tariq Ahmad, a software engineer, had just returned from a brisk walk around Dal Lake with his friend. As they paused at a tea stall near Nishat, Tariq suddenly collapsed. His friend thought it was fatigue—but by the time he was rushed to SKIMS Soura, doctors declared him dead of a sudden cardiac arrest.
Tariq had no known history of heart problems. He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke heavily, and was considered “healthy” by his peers. His family was shattered: “We never thought this could happen to someone so young,” said his grieving mother.
Tariq’s story is not isolated. Across Kashmir, hospitals are witnessing an alarming trend: heart disease is no longer a problem of the elderly—it is striking the youth.
Hospitals in Kashmir Sound the Alarm
Doctors at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), SMHS Srinagar, and district hospitals report a sharp rise in cardiac cases among people below 40.
Dr. Nisar-ul-Haq, a physician at SKIMS, explained:
“A decade ago, most heart patients we treated were above 50. Now we routinely see cases in their 20s and 30s. Some patients collapse suddenly with no warning signs.”
Local cardiology wards that once admitted retirees now find themselves filled with college students, young professionals, and even teenagers. Doctors in Anantnag, Baramulla, and Kupwara confirm the same pattern.
The Bigger Picture – What the Data Says
Nationally, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Cardiac Report 2025 shows that the average age of cardiac risk has fallen from 52 years in 2005 to 39 years today.
In Kashmir, although official consolidated data is limited, doctors and state health officials acknowledge:
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1 in 5 heart attacks in Kashmir are now reported in people under 40.
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Cases of hypertension and diabetes among Kashmiri youth have doubled in the last decade.
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Cardiologists at SKIMS estimate that youth admissions for cardiac problems have risen 30–40% in the last five years.
Globally, 1 Indian dies every 33 seconds from heart disease. Kashmir contributes to this grim statistic.
Why Is This Happening in Kashmir?
1. The Lifestyle Shift
Traditionally, Kashmiri diets were heart-friendly: fresh vegetables (haakh, nadru), dried foods, pulses, walnuts, apples, pears, fish, and moderate rice intake. Work on farms and in orchards kept people physically active.
But now:
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Bakery addiction: Kashmiris consume enormous amounts of bread, cakes, biscuits, and fried snacks daily.
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Sugary kehwa & noon chai: Both traditional teas are often consumed with high salt or sugar content.
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Fried street foods: Monji gaad (fried fish), samosas, and pakoras dominate diets.
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Sedentary winters: Harsh cold reduces outdoor activity; long nights increase screen time.
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Gym misuse: Youngsters increasingly use steroids and unregulated supplements to gain muscle mass quickly.
2. Silent Risk Factors Kashmiris Ignore
Many young Kashmiris unknowingly carry ticking time bombs:
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Hypertension (High BP): Often goes undiagnosed until too late.
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Diabetes: High rice and sugar intake is leading to early-onset diabetes in youth.
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Obesity: Belly fat has become common among urban Kashmiri men.
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Smoking & Hookah culture: Cigarette smoking remains high, while hookah lounges have made smoking fashionable for youth, raising cardiac risk 3–4 times.
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Passive smoking: Many Kashmiri homes still allow elders to smoke hookah indoors, putting children at risk.
3. Stress and Mental Health
Unlike other Indian states, Kashmir’s youth face unique stress triggers:
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Unemployment & economic uncertainty.
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High academic pressure for limited jobs.
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Political instability & conflict-related trauma.
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Social anxiety & lack of recreational outlets.
Stress increases cortisol levels, which raise blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and damage the heart over time.
4. Lack of Preventive Screening
In Kashmir, preventive heart care is almost absent:
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Most youth do not undergo BP, cholesterol, or ECG tests.
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Early symptoms—like chest discomfort, fatigue, or dizziness—are brushed aside.
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Schools, colleges, and offices lack health checkup programs.
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In rural districts, specialized cardiac care units are scarce, delaying diagnosis.
Real Voices: Doctors, Survivors, and Families
A Father’s Grief
In Pulwama, Abdul Rashid lost his 25-year-old son to a sudden heart attack. “We thought he was too young to have such a problem. He was studying for exams. One evening he complained of pain, and within an hour he was gone.”
A Survivor’s Warning
Shazia, a 30-year-old nurse from Srinagar, survived a mild heart attack last year. “I ignored the chest heaviness, thinking it was acidity. When I finally went to the hospital, doctors said it was a heart attack. I was shocked—I never imagined this could happen at my age.”
A Doctor’s Perspective
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, a senior cardiologist at SKIMS, said:
“Every week, I see patients under 35 with cardiac complaints. What is most worrying is that these patients rarely take their symptoms seriously until it is too late.”
The Systemic Gaps in Kashmir
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No preventive programs: Schools and universities don’t organize regular heart screenings.
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Infrastructure gaps: Many rural areas lack cardiologists or emergency cardiac units.
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Ambulance delays: Winter snow often blocks roads, delaying emergency treatment.
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AED scarcity: Defibrillators are almost absent in public spaces like malls, mosques, bus stations, or tourist hubs.
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Public unawareness: Few people know CPR, which can save lives during sudden cardiac arrests.
What Needs to Change
Education in Schools & Colleges
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Introduce heart health education in school curricula.
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Teach youth about smoking dangers, stress, and diet.
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Organize annual health camps in universities.
Preventive Screening
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Mobile health vans for rural checkups.
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Free/subsidized ECG, BP, sugar tests in district hospitals.
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Heart health kiosks at college campuses and busy markets.
Emergency Preparedness
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Train teachers, bus drivers, and gym trainers in CPR.
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Install AEDs in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Dal Lake, and Srinagar Airport.
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Run awareness drives in mosques and community centers.
A Kashmiri Prescription for a Healthy Heart
Heart-Healthy Kashmiri Foods
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Walnuts & almonds: Naturally reduce cholesterol.
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Apples, pears, cherries: Rich in antioxidants.
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Haakh & nadru (lotus stem): Control blood pressure.
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Fish (Trout): Omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the heart.
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Kehwa with saffron & spices: Beneficial if taken with little or no sugar.
Traditional Activities
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Walking in Mughal gardens like Shalimar or Nishat.
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Hiking in hills and meadows.
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Rouf dance during weddings and festivals.
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Winter indoor yoga, stretching, and prayer.
Everyday Steps for Kashmiri Youth
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Replace bakery snacks with fruits or dried nuts.
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Walk at least 30 minutes daily—even short mohalla walks count.
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Cut down on hookah and cigarette use.
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Sleep 7–8 hours—avoid late-night scrolling.
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Manage stress with prayer, meditation, or time in nature.
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Get annual health screenings after age 25.
Voices of Hope
Lifestyle Reversal
Bilal, a 32-year-old banker in Srinagar, had high cholesterol at 30. Instead of ignoring it, he changed his diet, joined a walking club, and lost 12 kg. Today, his cholesterol is back to normal.
NGOs & Initiatives
Some Kashmiri NGOs are conducting free heart camps in rural areas. Youth clubs in Baramulla and Anantnag are promoting sports as a lifestyle.
Technology for Youth
Fitness apps and smartwatches are helping Kashmir’s urban youth monitor steps, heart rate, and sleep cycles.
FAQs – Questions Kashmiri Youth Ask
Q1: Can a 25-year-old in Kashmir really get a heart attack?
Yes. Doctors are reporting heart attacks in patients as young as 18–25. Risk factors like smoking, stress, and poor diet accelerate the problem.
Q2: Is kehwa or noon chai bad for the heart?
Moderate consumption is fine, but excess sugar in kehwa and excess salt in noon chai can increase risks.
Q3: Is gym training safe for youth?
Yes, but avoid steroids, unsafe supplements, and overexertion without medical guidance.
Q4: Can stress really cause a heart attack?
Yes. Chronic stress raises blood pressure, causes irregular heartbeats, and contributes to cardiac disease.
Final Word: The Heart of Kashmir’s Future
As Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad from SKIMS put it:
“Heart disease is no longer about old age in Kashmir. Youth must take control—through awareness, lifestyle change, and timely screening. Your future depends on the health of your heart.”
Kashmir’s beauty lies in its people. Protecting the youth means protecting the valley’s strength, future, and hope. Heart health is no longer optional—it is survival.
