Jammu, Dec 03: Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu, Dr Sushil Sharma held a daylong cardiac awareness-cum-health checkup camp at Saint Balak Yogeshwar Dass Ji Ashram, Pouni (Reasi) to highlight the relationship between religiosity and body-mind practices in the primordial prevention of cardiac ailments.
The camp was inaugurated by Saint Shri Balak Yogeshwar Dass Ji Maharaj, Dr Sushil Sharma along with Rita Sharma (DDC Pouni) in the presence of various disciples who gathered during the ongoing 40th Ati Maha Vishnu Maha Jagya in mythological memory of country’s immortal martyrs. More than 1000 people were screened, evaluated and diagnosed. Free medicine and diagnostics were also provided as per the requirements.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil stated that Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) affects nearly half of all adults, who are 30 percent more likely to die of CVDs like coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, than the overall population.
“Prevention and management of major CVD risk factors are key for addressing these persistent CVD disparities for promotion of cardiovascular health. Religiosity may improve health through several mechanisms,” he said.
The doctor elaborated, “Religiosity may improve stress levels and encourage 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. Prayer and meditation as a part of religious activities may also be a form of relaxation. Individuals who have strong religiosity are significantly and likely to have favourable health habits for smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise, as well as a better cardiovascular metabolic profile with the exception of obesity.”
“Standard modifiable risk factors for CVD are cigarette smoking, excess alcohol, physical inactivity, poor diet/nutrition, high blood cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and psychosocial stress (including depression, anxiety, and personality traits such as hostility). Each of these risk factors is related in one way or another to religiosity/spirituality,” he added.
Dr Sushil said that positive aspects include encouragement to live healthily, provision of mechanisms to regulate stress, and contribution to building a social support network. This could be the result of discouragement of alcohol consumption or encouragement by religious leaders to be physically active.
“On the contrary, unfavourable interactions with fellow members and religious doubts or discontent can induce increased psychological stress levels, which are known risk factors for CVDs. These health behaviours can influence cardiometabolic conditions and subsequently CVD risk,” he said, adding “Spirituality is more related to one’s emotional self-regulation, which could lead to less stress and therefore lower chances of developing cardiometabolic conditions and CVDs. Support from social networks can also influence this emotional self-regulation.”
Management Committee of the Trust Saint Balak Yogeshwer Dass Ji Maharaj and Davinderjit Singh (Pintu) appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team for conducting cardiac awareness-cum-health checkup camp at such a far-flung area with special emphasis on maintaining spiritual well-being which indirectly affects cardiovascular health
Others who were part of this event include Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor and Dr Yashwant Sharma. Paramedics and volunteers include Raghav Rajput, Rajkumar, Paramveer Singh, Aman Gupta, Rajinder Singh, Gourav Sharma, Vikas Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Nirvair Singh Bali and numerous disciples of the Trust.
