Regular heart screening critical to monitor cardiovascular health: Doc

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 7

Terming dipping mercury to be the gravest danger for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, doctors, including heart specialists, cautioned the target group of people against walking unprotected during cold hours and taking fatty diet. Patients undergoing treatment were cautioned against tendency of missing routine medicine.

The warnings were also given during the concluding session of health checkup camp. The seminar on awareness about causes and consequences of heart attack during winter was held by the Social Welfare Organisation at Hind Hospital. Dr Sunit Hind presided over the session and Cardiology consultant Dr Sandeep Chopra led the panel of physicians. Convener of the event Tarsem Garg said over 200 persons were examined for symptoms of cardiovascular ailments after conducting free diagnostic tests, including electrocardiographs and blood tests.

Speakers, including Dr Sandeep Chopra, Dr Sunit Hind and Dr Jyoti Kapoor said the majority of patients examined during the event were ignorant of causes and consequences of heart attack during winter. “Majority of the residents did not know that people with coronary diseases often suffer angina pectoris (chest pain and discomfort) in extreme winter, which could be fatal too,” said Dr Sunit Hind arguing that besides cold temperatures, chilly winds and rain can also steal body heat, thus posing a threat to the lives of elderly people and heart patients.

Dr Sandeep Chopra advised that heart patients should avoid going on a walk during cold mornings and evenings during extreme winter and should never undertake strenuous work or exercise for at least 45 minutes after taking meals. He cautioned against taking oily foods and saturated fats during winter. Those undergoing treatment for heart diseases must take medicine religiously, alerted Dr Sandeep Chopra.

Dr Jyoti Kapoor, a senior pathologist, suggested that heart patients should get diagnostic tests conducted regularly for various indicators from credible laboratories so that their physicians can suggest preventive measures to be taken during winter.