Lifestyle changes necessary for heart health, say medical experts in Mangaluru

In a compelling phone-in session hosted by Udayavani, leading cardiology experts emphasized the urgent need for lifestyle changes and government policy reforms to curb the rising incidence of heart attacks in India. They unanimously called for making CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training mandatory for the public to enhance survival chances during sudden cardiac arrests.

Participating in the session were Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah, District Health Officer (Dakshina Kannada), Dr. Manish Rai, Cardiac Electrophysiologist at KMC Mangaluru, and Dr. Pradeep Pereira, Head of Cardiology at Fr. Muller Hospital. The doctors responded to various queries from readers and offered insights into heart health and preventive care.

Indians more prone to heart diseases
The experts noted that Indians are genetically more vulnerable to heart conditions and must adopt mindful eating habits. “Overeating and high-calorie consumption without physical activity leads to obesity and heart ailments. Even pre-diabetic individuals are increasingly developing cardiac issues,” said the panel.

They stressed the importance of regular health check-ups, particularly for those with risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, or obesity. Annual tests like the treadmill test and echocardiogram (echo) were recommended for early detection.

The session also covered how to differentiate between heart attack pain and other chest-related discomforts, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and the risks posed by excessive consumption of unhealthy oils.

Lifestyle modifications key to heart health
A sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, and prolonged mobile phone usage were identified as contributors to poor heart health. The doctors urged the public to embrace physical activity, yoga, and routine medical check-ups as essential parts of a healthy lifestyle.

CPR can save lives — if we know it
One of the most critical points raised was the need to popularize CPR training. “Currently, the survival rate for cardiac arrest in India is only 5%. However, if CPR is administered within the first 5 to 10 minutes, chances of survival increase dramatically. In Western countries, the rate is 10% or higher because more people are CPR-trained,” said the experts.

They called on the government to implement CPR training in schools and colleges and conduct one-day training workshops in hospitals to equip citizens with life-saving skills. “Making CPR training mandatory could help save countless precious lives,” they concluded.