Bhubaneswar: Lifestyle changes and stress management are the keys to avoiding cardiac problems in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiologists said on World Heart Day on Thursday.
“A self-centred man’s life is bound to be stressful. Stress management is crucial and an inclusive attitude towards life can make matters easier,” said Dr Bana Bihari Mishra, Senior Consultant, Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery at SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) while making a presentation.
Dr Mishra said COVID-19 had caused deaths and adversely affected the health of people who were found to have become prone to develop blood clots.
“People need to be careful about food intake and avoid a sedentary lifestyle,” he said, recommending at least 30 to 45 minutes of walking every day.
Dr Sarat Kumar Sahu, Senior Consultant and Head of Department of Cardiology in the hospital, also emphasized on a balanced diet, regular exercise and need to avoid stress.
He said keeping the sugar level down and blood pressure under control were important while ensuring that the process of cholesterol deposit in blood vessels was slowed down.
Dr Mishra said the cardiology department of SUM Ultimate Medicare, which is fully equipped with advanced instruments and trained manpower, is planning to set up valve clinic, coronary clinic, heart failure clinic, paediatric clinic and arrhythmia clinic. Paediatric cardiac surgery and Robotic cardiac surgery units are also in the pipeline, as also heart and lung transplant surgery.
Dr Vibhutendra Mohanty, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, said heart attack is responsible for the maximum number of deaths in the world, with 60 per cent of the cardiac patients being in India.
Dr Mohanty advised no symptom of cardiac failure should be ignored, as one-third of heart patients fail to reach the hospital in time.
Brig. (Dr) Biraj Mohan Mishra, Chief of Medical Services, SUMUM, and Dr Anand Mishra, Deputy Medical Superintendent, SUMUM, also spoke during the programme.
