Post-Covid Surge in Heart Disease Raises Alarm Worldwide

The world is slowly recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, but health experts are now facing a new crisis: a post-Covid surge in heart disease. Doctors from Karachi to New York report a significant increase in heart attacks, cardiac emergencies, and sudden deaths. This trend is especially worrying because younger people, even teenagers, are now among the affected.

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Heart Disease Cases Rising in Karachi

Karachi, one of South Asia’s busiest cities, is witnessing a sharp increase in heart patients. Hospitals that once treated mainly older adults for cardiac problems now see patients as young as 18.

Dr. Farhala Baloch from Aga Khan University Hospital revealed that before Covid, the hospital admitted around 1,000 to 1,500 patients annually for cardiac procedures. Since 2021, that number has doubled to almost 3,000 cases per year.

One of the most alarming developments is cardiogenic shock—a life-threatening condition where the heart cannot pump blood properly—appearing in much younger patients.

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Is Covid-19 Behind the Cardiac Surge?

Researchers are still trying to understand the real cause. Some possibilities include:

• Direct effects of Covid-19: Severe cases damaged both lungs and the heart.
• Lifestyle changes during lockdown: Less physical activity, unhealthy diets, stress, and poor sleep increased obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
• Long-term complications: Some patients developed heart issues after recovering from severe Covid infections.

Doctors agree that while Covid may have played a role, lifestyle changes were equally harmful.

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The Covid Vaccine Debate

Another area of concern is whether vaccines contributed to this rise in heart disease. Some people reported chest pain and palpitations after vaccination. However, experts, including Dr. Baloch, insist there is no strong evidence that vaccines directly cause heart attacks.

Most side effects, such as mild myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), were temporary and treatable. On the other hand, vaccines saved millions of lives by preventing severe infections, which could have caused much greater heart damage.

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NICVD Reports a Growing Burden

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi treated nearly 10,000 heart attack patients in 2024 alone. More than 3,000 major heart surgeries were carried out, including bypass procedures.

Doctors note that this rise cannot be explained by population growth alone. A true increase in disease burden is now visible, especially among young people.

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A Global Health Crisis

The rise in heart problems is not limited to Pakistan. Cardiologists in Europe, Africa, and North America report the same alarming trend.

Dr. Javed Ahmed Jilbani, now based in Tanzania, observed that during lockdowns, patients avoided hospitals. But once restrictions ended, cases surged dramatically—sometimes four times higher than before. He noted that coronary disease, which usually develops over decades, now seems to progress much faster.

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Genetic Links to Heart Disease

Recent research also shows that genetics may play a role. People with blood groups A, B, or AB face higher risks of heart attacks compared to those with blood group O. This indicates that Covid-related complications may interact with genetic factors to worsen heart disease.

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The Role of Vaccination Trends

Interestingly, studies suggest that heart attack cases increased after the first and second vaccine doses but later declined after the third booster. While younger men faced mild cases of myocarditis, the overall risk of severe cardiac events remained much lower among vaccinated populations.

Experts stress that vaccines reduced long-term risks by preventing severe infections, even if short-term side effects were seen in rare cases.

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Lifestyle Changes and the Way Forward

The pandemic transformed daily routines. Many people gained weight, ate more processed foods, and faced high stress. These habits increased hypertension, diabetes, and obesity—all dangerous risk factors for heart disease.

Healthcare systems are now adapting with better cardiac facilities, but prevention remains the most important step. Doctors strongly recommend:

• Regular medical checkups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels.
• Healthy eating habits with less processed food.
• Daily exercise and weight management.
• Stress reduction and quality sleep.

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The Road Ahead

Experts agree that more research is needed to fully understand the link between Covid-19 and heart disease. The crisis is complex, involving viral effects, immunity, genetics, and lifestyle factors.

Dr. Baloch summarized it well: “We must not rush to conclusions. Science takes time. What is clear, however, is that heart disease is one of the biggest health challenges after Covid-19, and societies must prepare to face it.”

For now, awareness, prevention, and healthier living are the best defenses against this growing threat.