Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 3: Dr Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College Hospital Jammu, organized a day-long cardiac awareness and health screening camp at J&K Mohyal Sabha Jammu, where he highlighted the growing role of environmental factors in heart diseases.
Addressing participants, Dr Sharma said cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. While conventional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity are widely known, he said public awareness must also include harmful environmental exposures at home, workplaces and within communities.
He said air pollution is among the most serious threats to cardiovascular health. Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5, can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, blood vessel damage and clot formation. Prolonged exposure raises the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and irregular heart rhythms. Even short-term exposure during severe pollution can trigger acute cardiac episodes in vulnerable people.
Dr Sharma also termed water pollution an underestimated danger. Long-term intake of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium through contaminated water has been linked to high blood pressure, vascular injury and increased cardiovascular mortality.
He further said persistent noise pollution from traffic and industrial activity activates the body’s stress response, leading to elevated cortisol levels, sustained hypertension and disturbed sleep, all of which adversely affect heart health.
Warning about climate change, Dr Sharma said rising temperatures and extreme heat can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, thicker blood consistency and extra strain on the heart, especially among elderly persons and those with existing ailments.
He said protecting heart health now requires not only medical treatment but also cleaner surroundings and healthier living conditions.
Members of the management committee present included Anil Deep Mehta, M M Bakshi, N K Bali, Arun Chibber, Vijay Chibber, Chander Bakshi, Seema Bakshi, Nanddeep Bakshi and Baleshwer Bali.
Others who assisted included Dr Ventakesh Yellapu, Dr Bhola Kumar, Dr Aditya Sharma, Dr Adarsh Sharma and Dr Adishwar Verma.
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