STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Attributing sedentary behaviour as a major concern in developing cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of Cardiology Department, SSH and GMC Hospital Jammu, underlined that sedentary way of life has increased dramatically and this is a matter of common observation that a multitude of serious health risks are associated with prolonged and excessive sitting.
A variety of studies even warn that sedentary lifestyles are likely to be causing as many deaths as smoking.
He brought to light these notable observation while examining patients during a daylong camp at Government Girls Middle School, Barnai area of the Jammu City wherein about more than 200 patients were screened and advised for various ailments.
Dr. Sushil said, “A sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle with no or irregular physical activity. It is commonly found in both the developed and developing world. Sedentary activities include sitting, reading, socialising, watching television, playing video games, mobile phone and computer use for much of the day with little or no vigorous physical exercise. Hi-tech advances in civilised societies within the last 50 years have created an environment that promotes sedentary existence. The sedentary lifestyle is not only confined to cities but even fast spreading to the villages and people are becoming more obese. Since the process of atherosclerosis starts at the first decade of life it is heartening to note that majority of the younger population in urban and rural areas fell prey to such type of lifestyle. Cardiovascular disorders are the cause of 25 per cent deaths in India and heart disease does not affect the urban and economically strong only, it also affects the rural and underprivileged population, he emphasised.
Recognising the role of moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise at least five days a week Dr. Sushil advised running to be added as an important part of one’s schedule.
“The exercises which are beneficial for heart includes running, jogging, swimming and cycling,” he said.
Residents of the Area Balbir Singh, Omi Khajuria, Parshotam Manhas and Manoj Sharma appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team and thanked Dr Sushil for conducting a cardiac awareness camp in their area.
Others who were instrumental in this endeavour include Dr. Dhaneshwar Kapoor and Dr. Kewal Sharma besides volunteers namely Kamal Kishore, Kashmiri Lal, Vikas Sabharwal, Ankush Kohli, Harvinder Singh, Rajkumar, Gourav Sharma, Rohit Khajuria and Vikas Kumar.
