70% of young Pakistanis obese, at risk of early heart attacks – study

70% of young Pakistanis obese, PAK-SEHAT study shows rising heart attack risk

KARACHI: A groundbreaking study, the PAK-SEHAT (PAKistan Study of premature coronary atherosclerosis in young Adults), has revealed alarming statistics on obesity and cardiovascular risk factors among young Pakistanis. According to the study, nearly 70% of participants are obese, with a majority exhibiting high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, factors that contribute significantly to the rise of premature heart attacks.

PAK-SEHAT study's alarming findings

The PAK-SEHAT study, Pakistan’s first longitudinal cohort research of its kind, is being conducted by Getz Pharma, with a generous investment of Rs1.4 billion (USD 5 million). Led by Prof. Bashir Hanif, a renowned interventional cardiologist, this study aims to understand why heart attacks are increasingly occurring in Pakistanis as young as their 30s and 40s, decades earlier than in Western countries. The findings were presented at the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM) conference in Karachi.

Growing concern: Obesity and cholesterol levels

Prof. Bashir Hanif reported that obesity is prevalent in 70% of the participants, with 80% of women affected. Additionally, 70% of the participants have elevated LDL cholesterol, while 50% suffer from alarmingly low levels of HDL. These findings are unprecedented for such a young population and point to a rising cardiovascular crisis in Pakistan.

“We are now seeing heart attacks in individuals in their late 30s and 40s, and in some cases as young as 19 or 20,” Prof. Hanif stated. “This isn't happening anywhere else in the world—it's a uniquely Pakistani crisis.”

Uncovering hidden health risks

The study also uncovered that many participants were unaware of their health risks. 42% of participants had undiagnosed hypertension, and 23% were living with undiagnosed diabetes. Prof. Hanif emphasized the need for greater awareness and early intervention to manage these risks before they manifest as serious health issues.

Environmental and demographic influences on health

In addition to traditional risk factors like poor diet and lack of physical activity, the PAK-SEHAT study explores the role of environmental and demographic factors—including pollution, air quality, and regional dietary habits—in contributing to early-onset cardiovascular disease. The study includes advanced techniques like coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and genome sequencing to assess genetic vulnerabilities in South Asians.

The need for a Pakistan-specific cardiovascular risk model

Prof. Hanif stressed the urgency of developing a Pakistani-specific cardiovascular risk score, as current models used in the U.S. are designed for older populations and fail to account for those under 40. He emphasized, “We need our own data and solutions to address the unique health risks facing our population.”

Getz Pharma's role in local research

Dr. Khurram Hussein, Managing Director of Getz Pharma, highlighted that the study aligns with the company’s mission to shift towards a patient-centric model that prioritizes local research over relying on Western healthcare protocols. He explained that the study will transform how South Asian doctors approach diagnosis and treatment, moving away from Western models that don't fully reflect the unique cardiovascular risks of the Pakistani population.