Green environments-Treasure for preliminary steps in cardiovascular disease prevention: Dr Sushil

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In view of the decreasing green spaces left for physical activity in urban areas and ever increasing incidence of cardiac ailments and lifestyle diseases Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum health checkup camp at Hari Mandir, Rehari Colony, Jammu for educating masses regarding the importance of environmental factors in primary prevention of cardiac ailments thereby decreasing mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular diseases.
While interacting with the people Dr Sushil Stated that Despite recent advances in treatment and management, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 20.5 million deaths per year.

Although some forms of CVD are due to inherited genetic disorders, its most common manifestations can be attributed to a variety of environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and pathophysiological risk factors.
Recent systematic attempts to evaluate the contribution of environmental factors to CVD risk have led to the development of the concept of the envirome. The natural domain of the envirome comprises natural, non-human elements, inclusive of ecology and geography. Nested within the natural environment, humans create distinct social environments by interacting with nature and with each other.
The resulting social environment consists of built structures such as houses, roads, and public buildings, and is characterized by distinct social networks and cultures, as well as economic and civic organizations. The concept of the envirome provides a useful framework for systemic identification of the influence of the environment on CVD.
He elaborated that the influence of greenness and exercise particularly in urban areas on CVD appears pervasive; affecting not only the risk of myocardial infarction, but ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation as well.
Given that nearly 80% of deaths from air pollution are due to CVD , it remains likely that some of the salutary effects of green vegetation, particularly in urban areas, may be related to the reduction of air pollution levels in those areas.
High levels of neighborhood greenery have been linked also to a decrease in the burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors as reflected by lower rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.
Those who live in greener environments report better mental health and more frequent social interactions, which can benefit cardiovascular health as well. In this narrative review, we discuss evidence linking green spaces to cardiovascular health as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of green spaces, including the impact of vegetation on air, noise and light pollution, ambient temperature, physical activity, mental health, and biodiversity.
He educated the masses about the role of exercise and green spaces in urban areas told that given the high incidence of CVD worldwide and the alarming statistics from developed countries showing only minor recent improvements in CVD incidence, it is imperative that we explore all possible avenues for its prevention and management.
Even if greenness decreases CVD risk by a few percent, its public health benefits are likely to be significant, given the high incidence of the disease. Therefore, a more firm link between CVD and green spaces in each domain of the envirome could provide not only a new way of preventing CVD and its lethal manifestations, but also help in developing a blueprint for healthier homes and cities in future, he said.
Management Committee of the Mandir Pt Kishore Sharma , Anil Gupta, Naveen Bali, Hans Raj Gupta, Anil Chadda and Baby Sharma appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team for conducting cardiac awareness cum health checkup camp in their area and shows their heartfelt gratitude. Others who were part of this camp includes Dr Venkatesh Yellupu and Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor.
Paramedics and Volunteers includes Raghav Rajput, Kamal Sharma, Rajkumar, Maninder Singh, Rajinder Singh, Rohit Nayyar, Gourav Sharma, Makhan Sharma, Arun Singh, Amish Jamwal, Mukesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar.