Lahore sees surge in heart patients, Punjab Institute of Cardiology emergency under pressure
Punjab Institute of Cardiology faces unprecedented pressure as 282,962 heart patients visited emergency in eight months, with thousands of procedures and primary PCIs performed.
LAHORE (Dunya News) - The provincial capital is witnessing a dangerous rise in heart disease cases, putting extraordinary pressure on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) emergency department.
According to reports, over the past eight months, 282,962 patients visited the PIC emergency, during which 20,530 procedures were performed, including 4,719 primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).
Statistics indicate that July recorded the highest patient influx, with 40,936 visiting emergency, 2,726 procedures conducted, and 627 primary PCIs performed. In January 2026, 36,879 patients reported to the emergency, with 3,180 procedures and 740 primary PCIs carried out.
Sources revealed that patients with minor heart attacks were often discharged after initial treatment, while some were referred to OPD for extended care. The lack of immediate primary PCI in emergencies has forced critical patients to repeatedly return to the emergency department.
Meanwhile, PIC MS and spokesperson Dr Aamir Butt stated that all emergency patients are being provided immediate medical care according to available capacity. Despite the increasing patient load, procedures and angioplasty treatments continue uninterrupted.
