Heart patients should be away from crackers
Cardiologists say that heart patients must breathe clean air
By : a. ravindra seshu
Update: 2015-11-10 01:45 GMT
Hyderabad: Cardiologists say that heart patients must breathe clean air and stay away from crackers during Diwali as their BP can rise due to the loud noise. Other than warning asthma patients to stay away from firecrackers, a co-relation between pollution and heart diseases has recently been identified and thus doctors say that heart patients too must be careful.
Dr Govardhan, a senior general physician at Care Hospital said, “Those who suffer from irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) may experience an increase of symptoms like palpitation (uncomfortable pounding sensation in chest), dizziness, shortness of breath or sudden loss of consciousness briefly.” Sleep is essential for patients. Cardiologist Dr Srinivas Reddy said, “Many people can’t sleep because of the noise. In such cases it is important to consult a doctor for a sedative, which can help them.” Lack of sleep makes them feel lazy and in a bad mood.”
While it is difficult to directly blame crackers for heart diseases, it is known that noise pollution causes anxiety, which results in stress. Stress increases the level of certain chemicals like catecholamine, steroids and interleukins in the body that raises blood pressure, serum cholesterol and clotting tendency of blood, all of which are not good signs for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Asthma patients need be careful:
Those suffering from asthma and respiratory diseases should be careful during Diwali as the pollution caused by crackers are increasing every year. Apart from magnesium, zinc, sulfur oxide and nitrogen dioxide, manufacturers use barium salt, strontium sulfate, copper salt, strontium carbonate and aluminum powder for the green, blue, yellow and red flames of crackers.
The levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers) in the air — these tend to get lodged in the lungs and can even enter the bloodstream — have been seven to eight times higher than the standard levels during Diwali. P. Rajaram, a chemistry lecturer said, “Almost all chemicals used in making crackers cause respiratory problems because of the particulate matter.”
He added that children and elders should be kept away from these gases and pollutants. Crackers worth about Rs 50 crore will be burst during Diwali in Khammam, Lothagudem, Manuguru, Yellandu, Sattupalli and Madhira towns. And the resultant increase in particulate matter will definitely affect people’s health.