Safeguard your heart in winters before it’s too late: Dr Sushil

HoD Cardiology GMC Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma examining patients at Apna Vihar on Sunday.
HoD Cardiology GMC Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma examining patients at Apna Vihar on Sunday.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 10: In view of the upcoming harsh winters and looming pandemic of Cardiovascular Disease, Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum health check up camp at Shiv Mandir , Apna Vihar Jammu enlightening the masses about the ways to prevent winter heart ailments and reduce mortality.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death worldwide. An estimated 20 million people died from CVDs, representing 30% of all global deaths. Seasonal variation in morbidity and mortality due to CVDs has been noted in both the northern and southern hemispheres, with higher incidence rates during the winter than in the summer. This variation linked with multiple risk factors, such as temperature, physical activity, air pollution, infections, and food habits.
He elaborated that when temperature drops, blood vessels narrow in your skin and fingers and toes, so that less heat is lost. But this narrowing (called ‘vasoconstriction’) creates more pressure in the rest of the circulation, meaning the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This is a normal response to the cold, but the extra strain can lead to heart symptoms for people who have an existing condition, especially during exercise.
Others who were part of the Camp include Dr Venkatesh Yellapu, Dr Dhaneshwer kapoor, Dr Rattan Pal and Dr Subhash Gupta. Paramedics and volunteers include Raghav Rajput, Kamal Sharma, Maninder Singh, Paramveer Singh, Rohit Nayyar, Amish Jamwal, Arun Singh, Jatin Bhasin, Vinay Kumar, Ranjit Singh, Vikas Kumar, Gourav Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Faisal Rashid, Amnish dutta and Nirvair Singh Bali.