Religiosity/Spirituality compliment Cardiovascular Health: Dr Sushil

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: In order to educate the masses regarding the ever importance of religion and spirituality in preventing cardiovascular diseases Head Department of cardiology SSH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a day long cardiac awareness cum Health Check up camp at Village Jhiri area of Block Marh, Jammu during the culmination of Shri Virat Vishnu Yagya with a purpose to make people aware of this dimension of healthcare particularly with reference to cardiac ailments.
More than 500 people were screened, evaluated, diagnosed and free medicines were given as per the requirements.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that the relationship between health and religiosity is complex.
Religiosity can influence the health behaviours of individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and cerebrovascular disorders, Dr Sushil said adding that CVDs are non-communicable chronic disorders that are highly prevalent globally and are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
He elaborated that religiosity and spirituality can alter the expression of proteins associated with cardiovascular health, according to the results of a new analysis from the Study on Stress, Spirituality and Health (SSSH).
Spirituality can also serve as a resource for resilience and have a protective effect. Individuals who were more religious were significantly more likely to have favourable health habits and fewer cardiovascular risk factors, except for a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity at baseline, Dr Sushil said.
He added that on the contrary, unfavourable interactions with fellow members and religious doubts or discontent can induce increased psychological stress levels, which is a known risk factor for CVDs.
These health behaviours can influence cardio metabolic conditions and subsequently CVD risk.
Spirituality is more related to one’s emotional self-regulation, which could lead to less stress and therefore lower chances of developing cardio metabolic conditions and CVDs. Support from social networks can also influence this emotional self-regulation, he said.
Dr Sushil Sharma in his concluding remarks told that higher levels of religiosity/spirituality were associated with intermediate/ideal cardiovascular health and Reinforcement of religiosity/spirituality in lifestyle interventions may decrease overall mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular diseases. Religiosity may improve health through several mechanisms. Religiosity may improve stress levels by providing an outlet to cope; it also encourages people to live healthy lives, including the prevention of substance or alcohol abuse. Social support among believers may also provide positive effects on their health.
He further told that religiousness has been shown to enhance self-esteem, generate positive emotions, and promote positive self-care practices by encouraging individuals to refrain from unhealthy lifestyle practices, which in turn fosters well-being. Intrinsic religiousness, spiritual well-being, and attending to one’s spiritual needs were related to better physical, mental, and emotional functioning, He Added.
Suresh Shastri Maharaj and Prominent member of the area K K Sharma, Hari Dutt Sharma, Madan Lal Sharma , Shiv Kumar Sharma and Devinder Sharma appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team for conducting cardiac awareness Cum health check up Camp on the pious occasion of Shri Virat Vishnu Yagya.
Others who were part of this camp includes Dr Nasir Ali Choudhary and Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor. Paramedics and volunteers includes Raghav Rajput, Kamal Sharma, Rajkumar, Amandeep Singh, Rajinder Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Rajnish Dogra, Gourav Kumar, Jatin Bhasin, Ranjeet Thakur, Sandeep Sharma, Akshay Kumar, Manoj Sharma and Vikas Kumar.