I have always seen the heart as a lifelong partner and not only as a medical organ. As a cardiac surgeon, I recognize its complications, but as a human, I can feel its sensitivity. My heart reminds me of our brittleness and nutrition of mutual responsibility every day which keeps us alive.

India’s major heart-health challenges

In India, heart diseases are quietly insidious, accounting for about 27% of deaths and especially the youth population strikes. What is concerned that we have a heart attack 5–10 years ago and often without warning and India’s mortality is unevenly higher.

Many factors such as hypertension, early onset of diabetes, diets that are rich in trans-fat or saturated fats, obesity growing, motionless lifestyle and even external environmental hazards such as air and water pollution.

Recent data suggests that a worrying picture has increased by 12.5% ​​in deaths due to a heart attack between the years 2021 and 2022, with the use of cardiac medicine (up to 50% more than 5 years) and about 1 in 3 adults with hypertension affecting it, only 20% of them have controlled it.

My personal heart care trip

A few years ago, borderline diabetes was detected in a regular check-up. This was a wake-up call for me.

Since then, I have been killed to practice what I preach: daily walks, 2-3 times a week, eating with a lot of complete foods, fruits and vegetables, maintaining a regular sleep pattern (even when you are busy) and are not asking for smoking and alcohol.

Dig the expensive car ride. Hold your bicycle or supermarket for your daily trips to work. Your heart and your wallet will thank you.

This does not require any major changes, but small and consistent habits will make you aware of your heart.

Over time, I have included small habits that have a major impact, such as taking stairs rather than using lifts. I encourage myself and my team to do stretching anytime during the day, and most importantly I start my day with a good 10 -minute breathing exercise to reduce stress.

In fact, every lift must come with a message that says, “Give your heart a lift; Use stairs to go up.”

When it appears people collapse

When I come to the stories of a person falling in the gym or feel a heart attack while indulging in a game – apparently healthy and conscious about what they eat – it gives me a small break.

It is a reminder that fitness is not only a safe option and that whatever you see outwards does not always explain what is happening inside your body.

Hidden state of heart: You can look fit from outside, but no one should ignore what is happening inside. Many individuals carry microscopic risks in inherited heart conditions or early metabolic problems such as subtle risks that often do not pay attention to anyone. Some people can also receive a genetic heart disease through family.

Risk of overexertion: When someone pushes the path above their ability, it can trigger problems if there is a identified problem such as obstruction or arrhythmia. As a cardio surgeon, I recommend to take it easier and check my heart with a simple treadmill test before going into heavy exercise.

Symptoms that are rejecting: Signs such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or mild discomfort in the chest are often ignored. These initial signs are subtle signs that can give rise to a serious issue when ignored.

When there is a collapse in a short time, what matters immediately takes place. CPR or heart can create a major difference between life and death access to emergency equipment such as Massage-Trained Standbis and AEDS (automatic external defibrainter). But are gym and public places trained to give immediate response to such situations? Preparation saves life.

It is necessary to choose the option of tests such as ECGS, eco to help detect hidden dangers before emergency. Routine that are durable and moderate, they better protect the heart. Our goal should be confirmed to the progress (heart -friendly) achieved.

For me, the real fitness comes from metabolic health, that is, managing swelling, blood sugar and cholesterol and not only to look good.

These stories of a fit person falling into the gym enhance my resolve to treat heart health, not after an ongoing and thoughtful practice, after awareness, regular active check-ups, some calculated activities and readiness to do function. Fitness is not just how it appears, but it is how fitness actually protects your heart.