Live Healthy! A call to Action - Part 2 of 2

Live Healthy! A call to Action

Part 2 of 2

Dr Parul Cariappa,MD

Consultant Physician and Diabetologist

In modern India, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other non communicable diseases (NCDS) in their various forms are quietly making inroads into our population. There are a large number of people (possibly you know some, or are related to them, or are already one of them) who are having elevated blood pressures, high blood sugar, heart problems etc due to possibly hereditary factors but also exacerbated by an unhealthy lifestyle. Children too are at risk from these diseases given the pressures of ‘modern lifestyles’.

We all need to be aware of the importance of dealing with these threat to the wellbeing of our families and to us which are posed by CVDs which apparently are a bigger killer than most other diseases combined. We all must be aware and well informed on the subject to safeguard our families.

1.         Know your BP - Visit a healthcare professional at your nearest clinic or hospital 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 risk, you can develop a specific plan of action to improve your health.

2.         Limit your alcohol intake - Restrict the amount of alcoholic drinks that you consume. Excessive alcohol intake can cause your blood pressure to rise and your weight to increase. If you drink , drink less, If you don’t drink, don’t start.

Ideas for you to implement

1.         Insist on a smoke-free environment. Dont encourage second hand smoke. Implement a tobacco ban - ensure your home and your workplace is 100% smoke-free. Encourage smokers in seeking help to quit tobacco.

2.         Make exercise a part of your life - Include physical activity in your plan for every day, even standing up and moving around counts.

3.         Choose healthy food options- Check your home menu to ensure that healthy food is prepared and served. Do not eat out more than once a week.

4.         Encourage stress-free moments - stress is related to smoking, excessive drinking and unhealthy eating, which are risk factors for heart disease. Remember that an “Aall iz Well” attitude is good for your health.