Heart of the matter: When a hospital queue in Mysuru taught us a lesson

India Today

2 days ago

It's understandable to head to the hospital when fear kicks in, but panic isn't a plan. Taking care of your heart isn't about one sudden trip to get an ECG. It's an ongoing relationship with your body, especially your heart.So, instead of reacting in a rush, let's pause and talk about when you should really start paying attention.advertisementMYTH: THERE'S NO 'RIGHT AGE' For years, we've been told that serious heart check-ups are something to consider once you hit your 40s or even as late as your 50s. But the reality on the ground, especially in India, is a different story.
"There is no denying the fact that panic is a very poor motivator for good health. Proactive awareness is what we all need," says Dr. Rahul Gupta, a leading interventional cardiologist in New Delhi.According to him, the queue at the Mysuru hospital is a symptom of collective fear, but what we should be building is a culture of routine, age-appropriate screening. "We used to say 40 is the magic number, but I'm seeing significant issues in patients in their early 30s. For South Asians, the clock starts ticking sooner."We asked cardiologists about what a smart timeline should look like? "Think of it less as a single alarm bell and more as a series of gentle reminders," they told us. Dr. M Sudhakar Rao, Consultant – Cardiology, at the Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, adds that while a regular cardiac test is usually recommended for healthy adults annually (once they have crossed 30 years), in people who have a history of heart ailments there is no real right age to get it done."For such patients, they should start getting their heart check-up done even earlier. The important thing is to listen to what your heart is saying...," Dr Rao says. IN THE 20s: ESTABLISH A BASELINE This isn't the decade for stress tests, but it is the perfect time to know your fundamentals. During a routine physical check-up, be mindful to get your blood pressure checked.It is imperative that you are aware of your family cardio history. Does heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes run in your family? These are the foundational pieces of your personal health puzzle. You don't need to be anxious, but just be aware, warns Dr Deepak Mehrotra, a cardiac surgeon from Noida.IN THE 30s: NUMBERS START TO MATTER This is the age when doctors believe things start to get a bit more serious."It's a good decade to get your first baseline lipid profile test done. It is a simple blood test that measures your cholesterol levels (the good HDL, the bad LDL, and triglycerides). If the numbers are normal, and you have no other risk factors, you might not need another one for a few years," Dr Rao reminds us, adding that if the numbers are borderline, or if you have a stressful lifestyle, smoke, or are overweight, this is your wake-up call to start making changes immediately.REACHING 40: THE NON-NEGOTIABLE CHECK-IN advertisementThis is it.If you haven't yet done a thorough heart check-up before, turning 40 is your absolute non-negotiable appointment with a comprehensive heart check-up. This should include:advertisementA detailed lipid profile is a must A blood sugar test (Fasting and HbA1c) every two months is recommendedAn Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity is also a must at this age (do it every six months)Have a discussion with your doctor about a treadmill stress test, especially if you have risk factors or there is a history of cardiac unrest in your familyRemember: The tests aren't about finding something that is wrong. It is about creating a detailed snapshot or a cardiac horoscope of your heart health that can be compared against future tests.GOING BEYONDWhile age-based guidelines are a must, your body too gives you its own timeline. Learning to listen (to what your heart is saying) is your greatest skill.What should you be paying attention to? Dr Mehrotra has a list ready:"If you observe getting winded after climbing a flight of stairs, it is one thing, but feeling breathless while tying your shoelaces is another. Listen carefully and fix an appointment immediately without panicking," he says. Chest discomfort is another warning sign. "Forget the movie clich of a dramatic, chest-clutching heart attack. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, or even indigestion that doesn't go away easily," Dr Gupta points out. Unexplained, and overwhelming fatigue is a sure-shot sign that something is amiss. We all get tired. But cardiac-related fatigue is different. It's bone-deep exhaustion that doesn't get better with rest. Dr. Gupta offers a brilliant way to frame it. "Your body has a language of its own. Post-work tiredness is a common dialect. However, the profound fatigue that stops you from doing simple daily chores you could easily do last month is an urgent new dialect you must pay attention to. It's time to find the doctor."advertisementThe queue in Jayadeva hospital in Mysuru began with fear, but let's hope it ends in education.Do you need to stand in the hospital queue too? No; instead, take a calm, proactive step towards knowing your heart health. Know the history, know your numbers, and know when to pick up the phone and schedule a conversation with your doctor. - Ends