Mysore/Mysuru: Columbia Asia Hospitals – Mysore (A Unit of Manipal Hospitals) had organised a webinar on ‘Healthy Heart’ on Aug.28. In all, 72 people participated in the interactive session and clarified their doubts about heart-related issues. 

Dr. Upendra Shenoy, Consultant Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Chief of Medical Services, Columbia Asia Hospital-Mysore and Dr. C.B. Keshavamurthy, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Columbia Asia Hospital-Mysore, addressed the session. 

Dr. Upendra Shenoy said, “Earlier people in the age group of 40 and above were vulnerable to heart problems. Comorbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension and a family history of cardiovascular diseases were the major reasons. However, in the past few years, we are witnessing heart-related problems among younger population. This can be attributed to factors such as following sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of physical activity and unhealthy habits. Therefore, we want youngsters as well as elders to give importance to their heart’s health and ensure that they are fit and healthy.”

“The onset of pandemic has highlighted the necessity to keep fit and maintain a healthy heart with many complaining about various heart problems after they are cured of Covid,” he noted. 

Dr. C.B. Keshavamurthy said “One needs to understand that people do not get cardiovascular problem suddenly. The entire process starts after the age of 20-25. If proper care is not taken and people continue to follow sedentary lifestyle habits, the plaque may start building up in the arteries. Other lifestyle conditions like obesity, stress can add to it and habits like smoking can aggravate the condition. Though we keep stressing on these factors, many youngsters think that they are too young to get affected by heart problems and they need not worry yet.  We have organised this webinar to educate people on the factors which affects heart’s health and how to have a healthy heart.”

During the session the doctors advised people not to ignore the symptoms of heart problems such as chest pain and breathlessness and encouraged regular preventive health checks.