Walking is mirror to health of heart

Chennai: In a recent survey, several factors were revealed which makes India an unhealthy country when it comes to heart health. Sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits and lack of sleep are some of the factors that contribute to degrading heart health. Health experts also believe that people often ignore the warning signs shown by our body, which indicates poor heart health.

Dr Y. Vijayachandra Reddy, senior interventional cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, says, “the very question of every patient who comes for treatment of heart attack is that they were fine till the last day and why they had an attack.  Yes, heart attack is a disease that is not only related to a patient.  All heart patients are pe-ople who were fit and fine till the last day after which they had heart attack.  This heart disease is not a sudden developed illness, but it takes years to develop as a disease. The problems including heart attack arises only when we ignore its earlier symptoms”.

“The cause for the heart disease in many is their misconceptions and opinions.  The vital point among this is about the pain.  While coming to consult, so many patients tell me they ignored doctor consultation while they had some chest pain due to mild pain.  Further many said that they had pain only on the right side of the chest contrary to the left side where the heart is located and that became the reason for them to think that they had a problem other than heart at-tack.  Even some people may visit the dentist for the pain they have in their jaw. And the dentist will tell them they're fine after completing all concerned check-ups (oral health)”, the doctor went on to say.

“Walking daily helps you to remain healthy and even it helps you to intimate the health of your heart.  You should walk daily and if you find any inconvenience in between your lower jaw and stomach area while undergoing walk on any day then you must consult a heart specialist. Even this inconvenience might last only for a few minutes.  But, this is your first ever symptom that the heart intimated you that you have some problem with your heart.  And this conveys that we had been with the heart disease from that very day.  Being conscious about the fact, when we introduce changes in our regular diet, exercises, and check-ups then we may be able to protect our heart.  Everyone should be aware about it”, warns Dr Reddy.   

Actually the heart attack will not be accompanied by pain. It causes a feeling of heaviness and pressure in the heart.  If you feel any mild pain or discomfort in your chest then you must visit a nearby heart specialty hospital.  Severe heart attacks only cause symptoms of sweating and severe pain in the chest.  Hence, it is important to consult a specialist before the disease grows severe, Dr Reddy says, adding, the disease has nothing to do with either age or gender.

Heart attack alone is not responsible for chest pain, but there are three more causes for that.  Even chest irritation may cause pain like heart attack.  Even swelling and bursting of the primary vein may cause pain like heart attack.  Hence, doctor alone may diagnose the reason for the chest pain.  Doctors would recommend aspirin only for those who already have had a heart attack.  A walk daily, following a healthy diet and avoiding liquor and cigarettes are sin qua non for leading a healthy life, adds Dr Reddy.