Patna, Sep 29 (UNI) As exercise and diet have taken a backseat owing to altered lifestyle amid COVID-19 scare, medical experts are worried as anxiety and fear affect, none of which bode well for the heart. Visiting Professor of Preventive Cardiology of Aryabhatta Knowledge University – Patna, Dr Naresh Purohit told UNI here today that “as COVID has induced a kind of unhealthy and fear-ridden lifestyle, greater caution is required because heart health can be impacted in many ways in the long run”.
While immediate heart issues may not surface, one should not neglect what is not apparent, he warned. Dr. Purohit said that the scare over Covid is obvious as it is highly infectiousness and added that immediate care is always beneficial over chronic (long-term) care.
Though 17 lakh people died of cardio vascular diseases this year in India (against one lakh COVID deaths), the COVID scare has been dominant over other chronic diseases, he pointed out.
According to Cardiological Society of India’s recent study, 32% of adult Indians died between 2010 and 2013 due to cardio vascular diseases and heart disease-related deaths were getting younger in India. A 2015 study in ‘The Lancet’ found 40% of Indians under the age of 55 developed heart attack.
“Now 35-40 years is the new watch age in India; it is 15 years younger than in the West,” averred Dr Purohit. Whether one is in 30s or 50s, warning signs should not be ignored, he maintained. Since co-morbidity is a concern with Covid, it is important to keep in touch with medics regularly, he added.
“It is important for cardiac patients to take control of their lifestyle habits and motivate behavioural changes as a positive move,” said the renowned physician.
According to a research published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, heart attack patients who are sarcastic or irritable could be putting their health at risk.
Quoting the studies on the related issue, he said that it suggests hostility is an independent predictor of dying from a second heart attack after adjusting for other factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, stress, lack of sleep, smoking and unhealthy diet.
“Stress resilience is strengthened with the release of serotonins (happy hormones)” added Dr Purohit.
