Aligarh: In a shocking series of incidents, five individuals, including two children aged 14 and 8, have died of heart attacks in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district within 25 days. The sudden deaths have raised concerns about rising cardiac incidents among younger populations.
On November 23, 20-year-old Mamata Chaudhary from Arana village collapsed while running as part of her preparations for a physical test for a constable’s job in the state police. "She had covered some 4-5 rounds of the ground. After that, she collapsed," her brother Jaykumar said.
Doctors at JN Medical College confirmed she died of a heart attack, reported NDTV.
Similarly, 14-year-old Mohit Chaudhary, a Class 6 student from Sirauli village, was practising for his school’s annual sports day when he suffered a fatal heart attack during a run. In another tragic incident on Sunday, 8-year-old Diksha from Lodhi Nagar died of a heart attack while playing with her friends.
The adult victims include 29-year-old Saiyad Barkat Haider, who died in his sleep on November 20. "He slept at night, and when I did not hear him snore, I checked on him and realised he was dead," said his cousin, Ahmad Mustafa Siddiqui. Pediatrician Dr. Lavnish Aggarwal, who was out on a regular morning walk on November 5, collapsed at home after a heart attack.
Local experts suggest these deaths could be part of a worrying trend. "In the last two to three years after Covid, cases of heart attacks among young people have increased. Stress is a major factor," said Dr Asar Kamal, Cardiologist at Kamal Heart Care Centre in Aligarh.
Professor M Rabbani from Aligarh Muslim University stated, "Deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest have risen by 22 per cent over the last 20 years. While heart attacks are a leading cause, some children may have undiagnosed congenital heart disease. Symptoms like chest pain or breathlessness in children should be checked immediately."
A cardiologist, according to NDTV, stated that heart-related incidents have surged among Covid-recovered patients. "The Indian Council of Medical Research found no evidence linking vaccination to sudden cardiac arrest. However, those severely affected by Covid are at higher risk of heart attacks and must undergo regular screenings," the expert said.
Health officials have urged people to remain vigilant and seek timely medical care, especially for unexplained symptoms.