Heart disease age in Sri Lanka drops to 17: Specialist

• In developed countries, the age of onset for heart disease is also decreasing

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  
The age of those suffering from heart disease in Sri Lanka is gradually decreasing and the age limit has now reached 17, National Hospital specialist Indika de Lanerolle said today.
Addressing the media, he said that the age range for developing heart disease was previously between 50 and 70 years. He said that the decreasing age of individuals suffering from heart disease raises concerns about its connection to the country’s development. In developed countries, the age of onset for heart disease is also decreasing.  
According to recommendations, hospitals in America and Europe are equipped to insert a stent within 60 minutes of diagnosing a heart condition. In some foreign hospitals, this duration may extend up to 120 minutes, he said.  
If a stent cannot be inserted within 20 to 30 minutes, alternative medications should be administered to prevent a heart attack at that time,
Dr. Lanerolle said.