Taking a significant step to advance its ongoing drive to educate the public about the ill effects of cardiovascular diseases, Dr Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at GMCH Jammu, conducted a day-long cardiac awareness and health screening camp at J&K Mohyal Sabha, Jammu.
The programme, as per a statement, sought to draw attention to a critical yet often neglected aspect of heart health the subtle environmental factors that are increasingly influencing cardiovascular disease in today’s era.
While interacting with attendees, Dr Sushil remarked that cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of mortality worldwide, though discussions have largely focused on conventional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. He pointed out that the initiative aims to expand public awareness by including everyday environmental exposures encountered at home, workplaces, and within communities.
Referring to a recent joint statement by leading global cardiac organisations, he highlighted that these environmental influences are now recognised as major contributors to the growing burden of heart disease.
Dr Sushil elaborated that air pollution remains one of the most serious environmental threats to cardiovascular health. Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial damage, and increased clot formation. Prolonged exposure significantly elevates the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms.
Even short-term exposure during periods of high pollution can precipitate acute cardiac episodes in susceptible individuals.The programme also shed light on water pollution as an often underestimated risk factor.
Long-term intake of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium through contaminated water sources has been associated with high blood pressure, vascular injury, and increased cardiovascular mortality. Factors such as industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sanitation continue to degrade water quality, particularly in resource-limited areas.
Highlighting other less-discussed hazards, Dr. Sushil noted that persistent noise pollution from traffic and industrial activity stimulates the body’s stress mechanisms, resulting in elevated cortisol levels, sustained hypertension, and sleep disturbances that adversely affect heart health.
Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts biological rhythms and hormone regulation, contributing to metabolic disorders and cardiovascular complications. Additionally, regular exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals, solvents, and indoor smoke from biomass fuels promotes chronic inflammation and vascular damage, placing certain occupational and rural populations at greater risk.
He further emphasised that climate change is emerging as a powerful driver of cardiovascular disease. Increasing temperatures and extreme heat events can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, thicker blood consistency, and increased strain on the heart, particularly among the elderly and those with existing conditions.
Environmental events such as wildfires, dust storms, floods, and abrupt temperature fluctuations are now known to trigger acute cardiac conditions and worsen heart failure.
He underscored that social and economic disparities intensify these environmental risks, as underprivileged communities are more likely to reside near polluted environments with limited access to healthcare and preventive services. Addressing environmental contributors to heart disease, he stressed, is both a healthcare necessity and a matter of public policy and equity.
“Heart disease is no longer influenced solely by genetics and lifestyle choices; the surrounding environment plays an equally crucial role,” Dr. Sushil stated. “Air pollution, contaminated water, noise, artificial lighting, chemical exposure, and climate change are significant drivers of cardiovascular illness and stroke, often operating unnoticed yet causing serious harm.”
He added, “Safeguarding heart health requires not only medical treatment but also the creation of healthier living conditions across homes, workplaces, and communities. The future of cardiology lies as much in improving environmental conditions as in advancing medical therapies.”
The Management Committee of J & K Mohyal Sabha Jammu Anil Deep Mehta (President), M. M. Bakshi, N. K. Bali, Arun Chibber, Vijay Chibber, Chander Bakshi, Seema Bakshi, Nanddeep Bakshi, and Baleshwer Bali conveyed their sincere appreciation to Dr. Sushil and his team for organizing the camp. They lauded the initiative for its community benefit and expressed their gratitude for the team’s dedicated efforts.
Among those who contributed to the camp were Dr. Ventakesh Yellapu, Dr. Bhola Kumar, Dr. Aditya Sharma, Dr. Adarsh Sharma, and Dr. Adishwar Verma. The paramedical staff and volunteers included Rajkumar, Raghav Rajput, Touseef Amin, Mohd Altaf, Maninder Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Gurpreet Singh, Shubham Sharma, Rajinder Singh, and Vikas Kumar.
