VVS Lakshman at Cardiology Society of India Press Meet

Cricketer VVS Lakshman advices balanced diet and regular physical activity to prevent heart disease, on the eve of World Heart Day

Participates in a program organized by Cardiology Society of India – AP Chapter

Hyderabad, 27th September, 2012: The Andhra Pradesh Chapter of CSI organized a press meet on the occasion of the world heart day which falls on 29.09.2012. The world heart day is celebrated every year to increase awareness of the growing problem of cardiovascular disease all over the world and to encourage healthy lifestyle. The theme of this year’s world heart day is “One World, One Home and One Heart”.

In the past few years the motto of the world heart day was emphasis on work place environment. This year the emphasis is on environment at home by encouraging the following practices.

1. Ban Smoking from your home

· Stop smoking tobacco in the home to improve your own and your children’s heart health
· Implement a new rule in your home: for every cigarette someone smokes, an extra household chore is waiting!

2. Stock your home with healthy food options

· Start the day with a piece of fruit or prepare your own lunch at home to ensure healthy options are taken to work or school
·Make sure every evening meal contains at least two to three servings of vegetables per person

3. Be active

· Families should limit the amount of time spent in front of the TV to less than two hours per day
· Organize outdoor activities for the family, such as cycling or hiking trips, or simply playing in the garden
· When possible, instead of using the car, take your bicycle or walk from home to your destination

4. Know your numbers

· Visit a healthcare professional who can measure your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, together with waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index (BMI).
· Once you know your overall CVD risk, you can develop a specific plan of action to improve your heart health. Make this action plan clearly visible in your home as a reminder!

By actioning the house-hold steps above, you and your family can reduce the burden of CVD wherever you are in the world. However, not all heart events are preventable. It is therefore important to know what action to take should a heart attack or ischaemic stroke, occur in the home.

Speaking on the occasion Cricketer VVS Lakshman said, I hail from a family of doctors and aspired to be a cardiologist myself, though I could’t become one, but happy to play a role in spreading the message for prevention of heart disease. I always considered heart disease as an old age ailment, but was surprised, when I lost two of my friends at their prime age of 35 & 36 years. I found my father always counseling his patients with two words – Physical Activity’ and it has a great significance in preventing heart disease. Today we have more of mental activity and less of physical activity, because of societal pressures to accomplish various goals in the process neglecting our body. Only 30 minutes a day of physical activity is all that’s required to help yourself to prevent heart disease. I understand the cause for heart disease starts at a very young age, therefore we should start young to prevent bad cholesterol, by adopting good eating habits and regular physical activity. Today’s kids are lured by junk food, parents should correct this by ensuring balanced diet and regular participation in sports activities.

Dr. Kapardhi, President of AP-CSI addressed the gathering and gave detailed account of various risk factors that lead to heart attack and stroke.

Dr. K. Sarat Chandra explained the importance of world heart federation and the present years motto. He said that by inculcating healthy lifestyle one can go a long way in keeping one’s cardiovascular system healthy. He also said that although coronary artery disease is increasing by leaps and bounds in India, one should not forget rheumatic heart disease which continues to effect Indians.

Col. Sitaram, President-Elect, AP-CSI, Hyderabad said that physical exercise is a very crucial component of the efforts to reduce heart disease. He also explained the importance of diet. He said Indians are 10 times more prone to heart disease due to our genetic disposition. Around 70% of urbanites are prone to this disease, he added.

Dr. Kaparthi proposed vote of thanks