IN the memory of his mother, renowned Cardiologist Dr U Kaul  on Saturday prescribed some tips for a healthy heart even as he asked his homeland people to “modify lifestyle” for longevity.
 From advising a change in lifestyle to educating people about the causes and symptoms of heart ailments and their prevention, the Padmashree Cardiologist spoke it all in common man’s language while lecturing on How To Prevent Heart Attacks at College of Education in the City.
 In short, he said, prevention is the best answer to heart attacks even as he he pitched the healthy Mantras.

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
 Speaking in Kashmiri Dr Kaul said: “Pain in chest (heaviness), sweating, vomiting are important symptoms of heart attack.”
 “The first hour of heart attack is most crucial because most deaths take place during the period,” he said adding that the heart attack could be “best diagnosed by an ECG.”
 “All chest pains aren’t heart attacks but if the symptoms occur one needs to get an ECG done,” Dr Kaul who is who is the Director Cardiology at Fortis Hospital New Delhi said.

THE TREATMENT
 Dr Kaul said in case of heart attack the clot which causes it needs to be removed adding that the removal was possible “mechanically” or through  “clot buster” medicines.
 Clot buster injections and other medicines are available in the market… 70 %  of the people can get well through medicine.”

ASPIRIN FACTOR
 Terming Aspirin as one of the best immediate treatments for heart attack, he said the person having symptoms of the attack  should at once chew the tablet.
 “Chewing Aspirin is better than taking it with water because it acts fast… one should chew it even if there is mere apprehension of heart attack,” he added.
 “One shouldn’t even wait to get an ECG done or  consult a doctor for taking aspirin because every minute is precious in case of a heart attack,” he said.
 But obviously, he said, medical consultation was a must. “Doctor is the best judge.”

YOUNG PEOPLE MORE PRONE
 In a startling revelation, Dr U Kaul revealed that 10 % of the people above the age of 30 were heart patients while 40 % of the heart attack cases were below 40 years of age.
 “Its true for every City be Srinagar or Jammu,” he said adding seven crore people in the country were heart patients.

ON EXERCISE
 Dr U Kaul said people should develop a habbit of exercising.
 “Exercises like jogging, cycling or for that matter even walking for half an hour a day is required.”
 “We don’t necessarily need any branded jogging shoes or special training for exercise. For that matter we all  know walking,” he wittingly told the audience.

ON FOOD
 About food he said consumption of leafy vegetables and seasonal fruits should be encouraged.
 “Seasonal fruits with bright colors are good. We don’t need to look for apples in winters and pears in spring,” he added.
 On consumption of mutton he said its intake if limited wasn’t bad. “Let you enjoy a Gushtaba but burn that much of calories through exercise.”
 Though acknowledging that Olive Oil was the best, he said given its “taste, less availability and high cost, we may not be able to take it.” “So for we people Mustard oil is the best oil,” he said.
 He however cautioned the housewives not to reuse the oil once used for frying.
 “We have a habit in Kashmir of using the oil for some frying and then using the same the other day… Oil if heated then reused is worst because it raises cholesterol.”
 He added that Almond and walnut consumption was good for heart.
 “Removing almond cover by soaking it in water overnight is a myth because its skin contains important ingredients.”

K FACTOR IN HEART
 While referring to affects stress and depression on heart, Dr U Kaul said the turmoil in Kashmir since ‘90s has taken its toll.
 “Stress has been an important reason of heart ailments since 90’s… From common man to armed forces and police forces all witnessed increase in heart attacks.”

THE AUDIENCE
 In the concluding ceremony of the event, prominent Laparoscopic surgeon Dr Fiaz Fazili who is on a visit to his homeland minced no words to hail Dr U Kaul for his “enormously informative speech in common man’s language.”
 Dr Fazili on behalf of the audience also paid tributes to Dr U Kaul’s mother Gauri Kaul who recently passed away. Director Doordarshan Dr Rafiq Masoodi, socialite Vijay Dhar, Educationist Dr Aga Ashraf and Principal  College of Education, and  CEO Livestock Board Dr FA Kaloo, were present on the occasion organized by the Cardiologist son in the memory of his mother for whom he said that except for the field of medicine she was his friend, philosopher and guide, all his life, till she breathed her last.

HEARTY FACTS
* 10% urbanites heart patients
* 7 crore people in India heart patients
* 40% of the heart attack cases are below 40 years of age
* Prevention of heart of attack is cheap, easy
* Mustard Oil is the best oil
* Smoking should be avoided because each cigarette reduces life span by 11 minutes
* Fruit consumption is superior to fruit juice
* Automobile pollution harmful for heart

Source (Dr U Kaul)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST