Jammu, Aug 04: In a continued effort to raise awareness about the prevention of cardiac ailments, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at GMCH Jammu, organized a day-long cardiac awareness and health check-up camp at Panchayat Palli, Block Bari Brahmana, District Samba. The initiative aimed to educate the grassroots about maintaining a healthy heart through lifestyle changes.
Dr. Sushil highlighted that cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality among middle-aged and older adults in India, with prevalence rates of 10-12% in urban areas and 4-5% in rural areas. He emphasized that conventional risk factors—such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, unhealthy diet, and reduced physical activity—account for over 95% of the population-attributable risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
“A heart-healthy eating pattern is not restrictive but involves a regular combination of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins, and fats, and using herbs and spices instead of salt,” Dr. Sushil stated. He warned against diets high in salt and low in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which can lead to higher blood pressure. Consuming more than 5 grams of salt per day significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Sushil also stressed the importance of regular physical activity in reducing the risk of heart attack and developing heart disease, quitting smoking, and managing cholesterol and blood pressure levels. “Staying active helps control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being overweight, and it also strengthens bones and muscles, boosting energy and mental well-being,” he added.
The camp received appreciation from local leaders such as Randhir Sharma (Sarpanch), Madan Lal, Rajesh Kumar, Anil Kumar, and Mukesh Sharma for Dr. Sushil’s efforts.
Dr. Venkatesh Yellupu, along with paramedics and volunteers including Kamal Sharma, Rohit Nayyar, Rahul Vaid, Arun Singh, Rajinder Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, and Vikas Kumar, were also part of this camp, contributing to its success.
