On World Heart Day, Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay highlights the rising risk of heart disease in India’s youth and the need for early prevention & advanced care.
World Heart Day 2025
Every beat of your heart carries a story-your past, your habits, your future. On World Heart Day, it’s more urgent than ever to listen. Heart disease is no longer a concern only for older folks-it’s a rising threat for younger generations. As you read this, doctors like Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay are not just treating hearts; they’re transforming how, where, and for whom heart care is delivered.
The Alarming Trend: Heart Disease in India’s Young
Recent studies and reports show a worrying shift:
- Indians are developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) 5-10 years earlier than Western populations. (Apollo Hospitals)
- Approximately 50% of heart attack deaths in India occur before age 50, and about 25% occur in men under 40. (Business Insider)
- In many urban centres, a large share of patients undergoing heart surgery fall in the 30-45 age group-a demographic that was much less affected just a couple of decades ago.
These trends are driven by a combination of:
- Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, high stress
- Rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure even in younger adults (The Week)
- Lack of awareness, delay in recognizing symptoms, and limited access to quality care in many areas.
Why We Need More Visionary Hearts Like Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay
When trends like these threaten younger lives, what we need are more leaders who not only treat but also anticipate, build infrastructure, educate, and reach the underserved. Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay is one such leader.
- He recognized that in areas like Thane, particularly the “down-region” suburbs, there was a gap in tertiary care-specialized cardiac care that includes high volumes, expert surgeons, advanced equipment.
- By establishing GHC Hospitals (Good Health Concepts LLP) in Thane, he has brought state-of-the-art cardiac surgery, minimally invasive techniques, valve repair, heart transplants etc., closer to communities that earlier had to travel far or compromise.
- At the same time, through units such as the Masina Heart Institute and the Hamdulay Heart Foundation (NGO), he has worked to ensure affordable care, even for those from lower income groups.
Because of these efforts:
- Local patients now have access to advanced surgeries that may previously only have been available in central Mumbai or elite institutions.
- The presence of a full tertiary care cardiac hospital has boosted regional medical standards-trained staff, diagnostic facilities, emergency readiness-all improving overall outcomes.
- Awareness efforts-screening programs, educational outreach-help detect risk early so that people in their 20s, 30s, 40s can take preventive steps rather than waiting for a life-threatening event.
A Voice from the Field: Dr. Hamdulay’s Take on the Threat to Young Hearts
“When I see patients in their early 30s coming in with serious coronary artery disease-conditions that used to be almost unheard of at that age-it underscores how lifestyle, environment, stress and delay in diagnosis are combining to accelerate heart disease. We cannot wait. Prevention must begin early.”
Dr. Hamdulay emphasizes:
- Regular screening (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar) even for people under 40.
- Healthy lifestyle changes: diet, exercise, stress management, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol.
- The need for healthcare infrastructure spread out into suburban and semi-urban areas so people get timely access to care.
What You Can Do Today: Protect Your Heart
Because your daily choices matter more than you think. Here are steps that can make a difference:
|
Habit |
Why It Helps |
|
Start each day with a nutritious breakfast; avoid late night heavy meals |
Helps regulate metabolism, avoids spikes in blood sugar/cholesterol. |
|
Move 30 minutes every day-walking, yoga, cycling |
Physical activity reduces risk of obesity, hypertension. |
|
Get regular check-ups: blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar even if you feel fine |
Early detection saves lives. |
|
Manage stress: work-life balance, enough sleep, avoid smoking and limit alcohol |
Stress hormones harm arteries; insufficient sleep adds risk. |
|
Know symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue), act early |
Golden hour in heart attack treatment is real. |
Why Dr. Hamdulay’s Vision Is More Than Care-it’s Hope
- By bringing superspecialty cardiac care closer to people in Thane and surrounding regions, he reduces the time to treatment-which can be a critical difference in heart attacks and emergencies.
- Making advanced techniques (e.g. minimally invasive surgery, valve repair, heart transplants) accessible at charitable rates or with financing schemes means health equity-that your income does not define your chance to survive or recover.
- Uplifting local medical standards not only helps cardiac patients, but improves overall health infrastructure: diagnostics, staffing, emergency services, capacity building.
World Heart Day 2025: Your Role, His Mission, Our Future
This World Heart Day, your heart matters-not just tomorrow, but today. Visionary doctors like Dr. Hamdulay give us the chance to confront the rising tide of heart disease among young Indians. But you also need to act:
- Check in with your heart health early, not when symptoms appear.
- Demand good local healthcare. If you live in suburban or under-served areas, push for quality tertiary care. Support institutions that bring care nearer to you.
- Support awareness, and spread the message: heart disease can be prevented-or its worst effects minimized-if we act early, wisely, for all income groups.
In Conclusion
Heart disease is one of India’s biggest challenges-and its increasing attack on younger people makes it one of the most urgent. But there’s room for optimism. Because of people like Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay, and institutions like GHC Hospitals, Masina Heart Institute, and Hamdulay Heart Foundation, India is seeing what’s possible: high-quality, advanced cardiac care that is accessible, affordable, and delivered with compassion.
Your heart is not just an organ-it’s your life’s engine. Listen to it. Protect it. Demand care that matches your value. Because every heartbeat counts.
If you like, I can format this with graphics, key statistics summary, or a shorter version for social media?
Over 10,000 Hearts Healed: Meet Mumbai’s Leading Cardiac Surgeon
Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay, M.Ch., D.N.B., M.S., MBBS
Chairman, Masina Heart Institute | President, Indian Association of Interventional Cardiac Surgeons
Leading Cardiac Surgeon – Mumbai, India
In an age where heart-related ailments are rapidly increasing, the importance of being under the care of a skilled and compassionate cardiac surgeon cannot be overstated. Dr. Zainulabedin Ismail Hamdulay stands as one of India’s foremost cardiac surgeons, bringing hope and healing to thousands of lives.
With over 10,000 cardiac surgeries to his credit, Dr. Hamdulay has earned immense respect in the medical community for his expertise, precision, and patient-centered approach. His work includes complex procedures such as Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS), Total Arterial Bypass Surgery, Valve Repairs and Replacements, and Sutureless Valve Surgeries. He is especially recognized for promoting MICS—a keyhole surgery technique that ensures faster recovery and minimal trauma, especially beneficial for diabetic and respiratory-compromised patients.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Hamdulay has successfully performed heart transplants, including life-saving surgeries for a 9-year-old and a 34-year-old patient. His commitment to innovation is matched by his mission to provide compassionate and comprehensive care.
“There is no greater reward in life than to have an impact on people’s lives in a positive way,” says Dr. Hamdulay.
Career Highlights:
- Successfully performed a heart transplantat Global Hospital, Mumbai on 24th August 2017.
- Has operated on patients ranging from 3 to 90 years old, including those from countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, Canada, Yemen, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
- Leading advocate for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeryin India.
- Over 7,000cardiac surgeries personally performed with outstanding outcomes.
Specializations:
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS – Keyhole)
- Total Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
- Valve Repairs & Replacements
- Sutureless Valve Surgeries
- Heart Transplant Surgery
Current Positions:
- Chairman, Masina Heart Institute, Mumbai
- President, Indian Association of Interventional Cardiac Surgeons
Contact Information:
Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay – Cardiac Surgeon
Shop No. 9/10, Kedy Shopping Center,
Opposite Hotel Sagar, 233/234 Bellasis Road,
Nagpada Junction, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008, India- 91376 27100
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