Making lifestyle adjustments is essential for maintaining heart health, particularly for doctors who frequently work in high-stress situations with demanding schedules.
Given that prolonged stress can have a detrimental effect on heart health, doctors should practice mindfulness, engage in hobbies, or spend time with loved ones as ways to manage their stress.
For heart health and general well-being, getting enough sleep is crucial because it lowers blood pressure and allows the body to recuperate.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Vivek Chaturvedi, HOD in cardiology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, talked about the essential lifestyle changes that every doctor should adopt for optimal heart health.
Unfortunately, what is seen during medical education as well as in practice later is that doctors follow anything but a healthy lifestyle.
Making lifestyle adjustments is essential for maintaining heart health, particularly for doctors who frequently work in high-stress situations with demanding schedules. Frequent physical activity, like jogging, yoga, or walking, strengthens the heart and enhances circulation. Lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease can be achieved with a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Given that prolonged stress can have a detrimental effect on heart health, doctors should practice mindfulness, engage in hobbies, or spend time with loved ones as ways to manage their stress. For heart health and general well-being, getting enough sleep is crucial because it lowers blood pressure and allows the body to recuperate. Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking are essential because they greatly raise the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Routine health examinations and monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels are essential for identifying and addressing potential problems early on. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Vivek Chaturvedi, HOD in cardiology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, talked about the essential lifestyle changes that every doctor should adopt for optimal heart health.
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According to Dr. Chaturvedi, "On the occasion of National Doctors Day, I would like to congratulate all of my colleagues who have contributed to the betterment of this nation. While taking care of other people, doctors often forget that they are also human beings and should be taking care of themselves as well. Akin to guidance during air travel, where a passenger is always reminded to secure themselves before helping others, physicians should also take care of themselves while caring for others.
Hence, it is critical for doctors to stay healthy and adopt a good lifestyle if they want to improve the well-being of their patients. Unfortunately, what is seen during medical education as well as in practice later is that doctors follow anything but a healthy lifestyle. Drastic work schedules and a constant mindset of 'patients first' cause doctors to frequently disregard their own health and lead unhealthy lifestyles. As with everyone else, maintaining a healthy lifestyle for doctors entails eating a balanced diet, abstaining from substance abuse, avoiding sedentary lifestyles, engaging in intentional physical activity, and optimizing psychological and social health.
I often see that my colleagues, especially the overworked junior ones, have food on the go, with whatever is available at that point in time. This typically translates to fast food and unhealthy choices. The environment typically present in hospitals and medical colleges also promotes this adverse behavior. While all of us are aware of the importance of healthy nutrition, I request that all of us find time and devise methods to consciously consume healthy food. We are all aware of the importance of eating wholesome food.
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In addition, I observe that quite a few of my coworkers (and several medical students) consume gutkha in addition to other addictive substances. Due to their long work hours and the stress of providing healthcare to the public, doctors are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse. But we should put our health first and refuse to consume these dangerous substances in any way. Also, don't forget that passive smoking does just as much harm as active smoking; hence, it is upon us to get smoking-free environments implemented."
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