KARACHI, March 21: Regular physical exercise, healthy eating habits, strict control of obesity and less consumption of fats and oils in our diet were described as important safeguards against heart diseases. This was stated during a seminar on ‘Heart and Lifestyle’ held at Defence Central Library on Monday. The interactive session was organized by DHA Medical Centre in collaboration with Aga Khan Hospital as part of health awareness programme.

The significant feature of the seminar was a thought provoking discourse by Dr Khawar Kazmi, an eminent cardiologist of AKUH, who discussed the intricacies of heart functioning and physiology of coronary heart disease in detail.

Dr Kazmi termed changing lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, excessive smoking and stressful life the major factors contributing towards the growing coronary heart diseases in the country.

The cardiologist explained at length the vital functions of heart: which pumped blood to various organs in the human body. The thickening of valve and gradual deposit of lipids in coronary artery, which provides oxygenated blood to the heart, caused its blockage thus cutting off blood supply to heart muscles and fatally damaging them.

He said that an hour following the heart attack was vital and known as golden hour since during that period timely medication and first aid could possibly save the heart muscles from any substantial damage and hence save precious human lives.

He said that the physical symptoms for the heart attack were chest heaviness, sweating, shortness of breath and weakness.

He said that pinpoint and sporadic shooting pain may not necessarily be symptom of heart attack but cautioned that physician must invariably be consulted in such an eventuality.

The cardiologist said that the risk factors, which were catalyst in causing the coronary heart diseases, included high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, stress and smoking. He emphasised the need to keep these factors under control to prevent heart attack.

Dr Kazmi stressed on adoption of healthy lifestyle with regular physical exercise and healthy eating habits.

DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Husain said that health problems must not be ignored to reach a stage that they became incurable. He said that prevention was better than cure and emphasized on the importance of regular physical exercise and suggested that the best way to do so was to daily unwind oneself in the park to remain happy, healthy and tension free.

Dr Zareen and Dr Sheema Ather also spoke.—APP