"Have a Heart my friend"...............

I am writing this article for my fouji friends who are not from the medical side. I suggest you spare a few minutes to go through it. You may perhaps benefit from it some day.

Many of us may not be aware of the fact that India is now the “Heart disease capital” of the world – we have the highest number of coronary artery disease cases (the ones blocking the coronaries leading to heart attacks) …..and the number is rising every day. We foujis are also part of this population that is certainly not insulated from this risk. This is despite the fact that we are in general, a screened lot having undergone a rigorous medical exam on entry and subsequently every year. It is high time that we take remedial measures to prevent a catastrophe……I shall begin with a few examples to highlight my point.

Let me begin with my own case……I have been a teetotaler, non smoker, non obese, not suffering from diabetes or hypertension and a fitness freak all my life despite which I had a heart attack just after retirement. Had I undergone a routine Treadmill Test earlier, this could have been largely prevented.

The second example ….. a fairly recent case… a senior specialist doctor, a man with clean habits and a fitness freak, at a large service hospital was playing a vigorous game of squash when he suddenly collapsed with a cardiac arrest. Fortunately for him, the cardiologist happened to be his game partner. He was revived and taken up for emergency angiography when a block was detected which was subjected to stenting. He luckily made a full recovery.

No body is therefore insulated from this risk. What is the solution? Well, I strongly recommend a yearly Treadmill Test for every one over 40 years of age and once every five years between 30 and 40. This may not be available through your unit facilities because a yearly TMT may not be authorized as per “rules”. At the most, what they do is a routine ECG which is quite useless as a screening tool. But you can always get a TMT done through any cardiologist in your home town when you go on leave. Get a yearly Lipid profile and get your Blood pressure and blood Sugar monitored on a yearly basis. Lifestyle modifications as under, are important as a preventive measure.

Dietary Habits : Avoid Red meat , yellow of eggs, and saturated fats, fast foods. Take more of vegetables and fruits. Fish is good for the heart. Moderate your alcohol consumption.

Exercise: A brisk daily walk for 30 to 45 minutes at least 5 days a week is good for your heart.

Your heart is in your hands ! Look after it …..before it is too late….