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A sharp increase among younger adults, women Mindful diet, timely tests prevents 80% of cardiovascular diseases: PGI

PGI urges people to join the health initiative ‘Stop The Attack Before It Strikes’ aimed at combating rising heart disease burden

Written by: Parul

3 min readChandigarhDec 2, 2025 11:17 AM IST

A sharp increase among younger adults, women Mindful diet, timely tests prevents 80% of cardiovascular diseases: PGI

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the country with a sharp increase among younger adults and women. (File)

PGI has called upon the community to come forward and join the health initiative themed as ‘Stop The Attack Before It Strikes’ aimed at combating the rising burden of heart disease in India. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the country with a sharp increase among younger adults and women. However, PGI has recognised that nearly 80 per cent of these conditions are preventable through lifestyle modification.

The health initiative draws its inspiration from PGI’s Preventive Clinic. The clinic was established a year ago in the Department of Cardiology to address the widespread and growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

The clinic operates every Wednesday and Saturday, and is run by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Neelam Dahiya. It primarily targets individuals aged between 18 and 40 years, aiming to intervene early in order to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.

The clinic provides tailored lifestyle guidance after each participant undergoes detailed dietary evaluation, psychological assessment and blood investigations.

However, the Preventive Clinic faces substantial challenges despite its impact. Public health awareness remains low, and the compliance among enrolled individuals is limited. Out of approximately 450 subjects evaluated so far, only a few completed all the recommended assessments. Among them, 320 were overweight or obese and 92 were hypertensive, with nearly half having uncontrolled blood pressure. Most participants also reported minimal physical activity or recreational engagement. In addition, infrastructural constraints, limited visibility and the heavy workload add to the difficulties.

Dr Dahiya noted these cases underscores the pressing need for improved physical activity and healthier lifestyles. “The team remains committed, drawing motivation from each individual who succeeds in improving their lifestyle.”

Looking ahead, however, PGI aims to strengthen preventive outreach through streamlined registration processes, improved diagnostics pathways and additional community-based engagement.

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“Preventing a heart attack begins long before any symptoms appear. Every positive step — whether improving your diet, increasing physical activity or undergoing timely screening — brings you closer to a healthier future. Even if ten people improve their lifestyle because of our efforts, it is a success worth pursuing,” says Dr. Dahiya, stressing the critical importance of timely treatment. Presenting data from the clinic, she revealed that 8 per cent of attendees were newly diagnosed with diabetes, while 22 per cent were newly detected hypertensive patients.

To promote practical wellness, the clinic’s instructors encourage participants to incorporate simple physical exercises along with yoga practices such as Y-break and Surya Namaskar into their lives.

Dr Nancy Sahni, Chief Dietician (PGI), talked about the importance of shifting to mindful dietary habits and balanced nutrition to prevent non-communicable diseases.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More