Mental well-being is key to preventing chronic diseases, especially heart problems, experts said ahead of World Heart Day on September 29. India is seeing a rise in heart disease, even among young adults and children.“If we want to tackle India’s heart health crisis, we must focus on healthy habits early in families, schools, and communities,” said Rajesh Bhushan, former Secretary, Ministry of Health. He urged integrating mental health into healthcare and schools.
“Along with exercise and stress management, nurturing mental health early is critical. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Schools can guide children to build patience, resilience, and balance instead of pushing them into early burnout,” Bhushan added.
Experts highlighted the effects of stress, pollution, and poor lifestyle choices. They also noted the growing role of digital health, wearable devices, and AI in improving cardiac care, especially in rural areas.
“Heart disease is no longer just for the elderly. Nearly 60% of cases in India occur in people under 55. Prevention is the most cost-effective strategy—it costs only one-sixth of treatment,” said Dr Sandeep Bansal, Director, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital. He stressed hypertension control, mental health, and school awareness.
Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the Illness to Wellness Foundation, praised government programs like NPCDCS, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and PM-JAY, which support prevention, early detection, and treatment costs.
Experts called for a national movement on heart health, focusing on awareness, preventive screenings, mental well-being, emergency preparedness, and community participation.
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