Kolkata, Dec 10:
Rupayan Roy ran for his life when he was getting a heart transplant two years ago and he has not stopped ever since. He is now running marathon races to spread awareness about his medical condition.
The 44-year-old underwent a heart transplant surgery in July 2016, and about six months after the surgery, Roy ran a 5K event organised by the BSF.
He has not stopped since then, running in six events including a half-marathon last month, and is looking forward to running in Tata Steel Kolkata 25K event here on Sunday.
“Although I am a heart transplant patient but I can say that I am very fit now. I would like to say all the people that, keep running and take part in different types of event in order to stay fit,” Roy said.
Before every run, Roy has to take consent from doctors.
“Since I am living for a borrowed heart it is mandatory to follow the doctor’s guidelines,” Roy, who ran the half marathon in three hours-plus timing last month, said.
About his preparations for Sunday’s race, Roy said: “I have a very controlled simplified diet because of cardiac problem. I completely avoid eating chicken, mutton and fast food. Hydration is very important thing for any athlete.”
Roy played cricket and football in his school days but his life turned upside down after he had a relentless dry cough with blood streaks.
“An echocardiography followed and it was revealed that I was a man with a dilated heart, had 20% LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) with an irreversible cardiac condition,” he said, recalling that fateful day. (PTI)
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