Actress Sushmita Sen, who recently escaped a severe cardiac attack, had a 95% blockage in her main artery. The 47-year-old actor, who personifies resilience, nevertheless had encouraging words for her admirers and urged them to continue exercising. “I know a lot of you will stop going to the gym and say, see, going to the gym didn’t help her. Not good. It did help me. I survived a very, very big heart attack. It did because I have kept an active lifestyle”.
In a video, social media personality and nutritionist Mohita Mascarenhas comments on the issue, saying, “Don’t use her having a heart attack as an excuse for skipping your workouts. Regular exercise will only strengthen your heart.”
She adds, “I agree that genetics and lifestyle play their part. Make sure to get regular preventive checkups.”
Exercise and heart health
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), only about one in every five people and teenagers gets enough exercise to stay healthy. “Science has linked being inactive and sitting too much with a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancers, and early death. It’s clear that being more active benefits everyone and helps us live longer, healthier lives,” claims AHA, Indian Express reported.
Aerobic exercises are especially known to be good for heart health. “Aerobic (or “cardio”) activity gets your heart rate up and benefits your heart by improving cardiorespiratory fitness”.
Dr G Ramesh, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Proctor for Complex Coronary Interventions at Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad, concurs and says, “Any aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, skipping swimming is good for the heart as it improves the blood supply to all the essential organs including the heart”.
Dr Ramesh says, “guidelines suggest a moderate intensity exercise like brisk walk up to 45 minutes a day for 6 days a week” for maintaining heart health.
Regular exercise helps to reduce blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. Which are both advantageous to your heart's wellness.
Things to remember
Before beginning any structured exercise program, Dr Ramesh advises getting a health checkup that includes an ECG echo, a TMT, and ideally a physician consultation. “During exercise, if you have shortness of breath, chest pain or excessive palpitations, stop exercise immediately and consult a doctor. Also, extremes of exercise such as heavy weight lifting should be avoided”.
Dr Ramesh concludes, “If there is family history of heart diseases, go for regular heart check-ups which include a TMT. One should go for regular health checks above the age of 40 or if you have any risk factors or family history, go for checkups at an even younger age”.
Check-ups for heart health
The following tests are recommended by Mascarenhas to keep a tab on your heart health:
1. Blood pressure
2. Electrocardiogram or ECG
3. Stress test
4. Lipid profile
5. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test
6. ApoB test
Heart-healthy foods
Mascarenhas recommends Including these heart-healthy foods in your diet:
1. Dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.
2. Amla, berries, citrus fruits, beetroot and pomegranate.
3. Whole grains and beans
4. Fatty fish
5. Avocados
6. Flaxseeds
7. Add an omega-3 supplement to your routine if you don’t eat fish