Preventing Heart Disease: Professional Insights and Lifestyle Changes for a Healthier Future Discussed in TOI Medithon Part-5

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but it is often preventable due to early perception and lifestyle changes. Raising awareness about cardiovascular health is important to reduce the burden of heart-related illnesses.
Many people do not recognize risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, lack of diet and lack of exercise. Stress and sedentary lifestyles also contribute significantly to heart disease. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat are often ignored until it's too late.
Spreading awareness helps individuals adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, stop smoking, and manage stress.
To raise awareness about heart disease, TOI recently organized Mediton with several experts attending. The event took place in four sessions. clock You are a mediton here.
Strategies to prevent heart disease: Find out how many
Heart health plays an important role in life expectancy, and leading cardiologists emphasize the importance of fitness, lifestyle changes and weight management in preventing cardiovascular disease.
CV Patil, Senior Interventional cardiologist At Sri Sai Kardiac Centre in Korapur, we emphasize that life expectancy depends on three key factors: cardiopulmonary fitness, lean muscle mass, and resting heart rate. Maintaining these aspects ensures a healthier mind and a longer lifespan.
Dr. vs Prakash, Professor and Chief Heart disease Cardiac electrophysiology at Ms. Lamaia Memorial Hospital, Bangalore, highlights the impact of lifestyle choices on heart health. He warns that stress increases the risk of the heart by significantly increasing blood pressure and causing inflammation. To maintain a healthy heart, he advises a balanced diet. It is rich in plant-based foods with low animal fat. He also emphasizes that quality sleep is essential for cardiovascular well-being.
Dr Jitendra Palsinthorney, a senior consultant cardiologist at the Department of Cardiology at Gangalam Hospital, New Delhi, highlights the growing concerns of obesity and the impact on heart health. He points out that obesity is rising worldwide, and India ranks third in the country with the highest obese population, making it a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
These professional insights highlight the need for regular exercise, a nutritious diet, stress management and maintaining a healthy weight to ensure long-term heart health.
Heart disease and young people
With the increasing incidence of heart disease among young people, cardiologists emphasize the need for precautions, stress management and overall lifestyle changes to maintain heart health.
Dr Suhashardas, a senior intervention cardiologist and director of Hardas Heart Care in Pune, highlights the surprising rise in heart disease among young people. He attributes this trend to unhealthy diet, obesity, smoking, steam, diabetes and mental stress, all of which contribute to the early onset of heart attacks. Young people need to protect their minds by adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise and a stress-free lifestyle.
Dr. Jabir A., ​​senior consultant and director of clinical research at Cardiology, Lisie Hospital, Ernakulam, emphasizes the importance of stress management. He points out that many young people face work-related stress, which can hurt their heart health. He advises individuals to find joy in their work and to maintain a work-life balance to prevent stress from disrupting circadian rhythms and overall happiness.
Dr. Dilip Kumar, an interventional cardiac pathologist and electrophysiologist, and the Chief Academic Coordinator of Medica Super Specialist Hospital in Kolkata, advocate for a holistic approach to heart health. He counters the misconceptions and emphasizes that no one is immune to heart problems. Young people should continue to provide information, make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid believing myths about heart disease.
These professional insights strengthen the need for early awareness, lifestyle modification and aggressive cardiac care to prevent cardiovascular disease in young people.
Heart disease management
Cardiologists emphasize the importance of awareness, discipline and precautions in maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Vikas Aggarwal, an interventional cardiologist at Anandi Heart and Maternity Clinic in Varanasi, emphasizes the need to “know your number” including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels and BMI. Understanding these metrics allows individuals to take informed steps to improve their heart health.
Dr. Rahul Patil, consultant cardiologist at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, highlights the urgent need for an increase in the incidence of heart attacks and lifestyle changes in young people. He emphasizes the importance of discipline. This includes waking up early, eating a mentally healthy diet, and eliminating bad habits like smoking. A well-structured routine plays an important role in reducing heart risk.
Dr. Vinit Kumar, a consultant cardiologist at Patna's Heart Hospital, advises individuals to regularly monitor their weight and BMI as part of their cardiac care routine. Tracking these indicators can help you detect and prevent cardiovascular disease early.
These professional insights highlight the need for awareness, a disciplined lifestyle and regular health monitoring to ensure health.
Heart disease in women: known and unknown
Lead cardiologists highlight growing concerns about heart attacks in women, highlighting the need for recognition, early symptoms recognition and stress management.
Dr. Anupam Goel, a senior intervention cardiologist at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Saket, Delhi, highlights the rise in cases of heart attacks in young women. He attributes this to high levels of stress as many women struggle with multiple responsibilities, work, family and personal lives. Managing stress and prioritizing heart health is essential to reducing these risks.
Dr. Asha Mahirmaran, a senior interventional cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack. She explains that it is important to distinguish nonspecific chest pain from heart attack-related chest pain. While general fatigue and anxiety can be due to chronic illnesses, symptoms of a heart attack include sudden shortness of breath and extreme fatigue during physical activity, such as climbing stairs. Individuals should seek medical attention if they feel abnormally exhausted after minimal exercise.
These insights highlight the importance of stress management, early diagnosis and lifestyle modifications to protect women's heart health.
By raising awareness, you can reduce heart disease-related deaths and improve overall public health. Prevention is always better than treatment, and knowledge is the first step towards a healthier mind.