Heart attacks among young people in Bangladesh are rising at an alarming rate, with health experts warning that lifestyle changes, mounting stress and genetic vulnerability are driving a surge in cardiac emergencies among those under 40.
Once considered a condition affecting older adults, cardiovascular disease is now increasingly striking people in their 30s. Specialists cite excessive smoking, sedentary lifestyles, sleep deprivation and obesity as major contributors to the growing trend.
According to the Cardio Metabolic Institute, nearly one in five heart attack patients in Bangladesh is now under the age of 40.
Ajit Barua, 34, experienced a heart attack seven months ago — a life-altering event he never anticipated.
“After becoming a father, my routine changed completely. After day’s work, I had to stay up late at night for my son. My body started to feel restless after a while. One morning, while getting while getting ready for work, it happened,” he said.
Since then, he has been taking eight to nine medicines every day. He didn’t need any medication before the heart attack.
Global estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, causing around 17.9 million deaths each year.
A report of Evercare Hospital Dhaka says that three quarters of deaths in low and middle income countries in South Asia are caused by heart attacks. In Bangladesh, the death rate from heart attacks is about 14.31 per cent. In the past 10 years, the number of heart attacks has increased 35 times among men and 48 times among women.
Medical professionals say the shift is visible in clinical settings.
“We are now seeing many heart attack patients aged between 30 and 35, which was not the case 20 years ago,” said Dr AM Shamim, founder and managing director of Labaid Group.
He mentioned that rising tension about future, career competition, ambition and work pressure are major causes to the increasing number of heart attack patients. “There’s also a genetic influence. Our Asian people have comparatively narrower coronary arteries, which increases risk,” he added.
Dr S M Mustafa Zaman, Professor of Cardiology at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), stated a study by the university found that the occurrence of heart disease is 17 times higher among people under 35 in Bangladesh compared to other countries.
He noted that increased awareness has led more people to seek medical care at early stages, which partly explains the rise in reported cases. In the past, many patients ignored symptoms or avoided hospitals.
Despite this, experts stress that prevention remains the most effective defense.
“People need to adopt healthier lifestyles, including balanced diets, regular exercise and adequate sleep,” said Dr Shamim. “Those with a family history of heart attacks should be more careful. In many families, fathers, uncles or grandfathers have died at a young age. So, that person should be more cautious than the rest. After the age of 30, a yearly body checkup is necessary.”
With cases continuing to climb, health professionals warn that heart disease could become an even greater threat to Bangladesh’s young population in the years ahead.
