Have a Heart

To be observed on 28 September 2008, world hearts day theme this year is “Know your risk”. Heart disease and stroke is the world’s number one killer causing 17.8 million deaths each year or more than 1 death every 2 seconds, heart attack is a life and death emergency- every second counts. Heart attack and strokes are mainly caused by a blockade that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. A major heart attack usually starts with pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest which lasts for more than a few minutes or keeps coming back. Women are more likely to have shortness of breadth, nausea, vomiting and back or jaw pain. People who had diabetes for a long time may not feel the chest pain as much, because diabetes can damage nerves.

Adults are not the only ones at risk for cardiac complications. Kids are at risk too. There’s a limited awareness about such diseases in children. Although most parents know that, occasionally a child may be born with a “hole in the heart” or be a “blue baby”, their knowledge and understanding of children’s heart disease stops at that. It has been estimated that the incidence of children born with a heart disease, also called congenial heart disease (CHD) is almost 8 per thousand. CHD is supposed to be multi factorial in origin, meaning a lot of known and unknown factors go into producing these diseases. Since no clear factors are related to CHD, it becomes difficult to prevent them. A good nutrition, regular check ups, avoiding unnecessary medications and exposure to radiations.. Pregnancy can help in avoiding congenial heart disease. There is an increasing burden of cardiac cases being identified every day. The affliction of the younger population is indeed unfortunate, as is the stress the family and the patient goes through. Apart from the mental agony, it is a big financial burden. Here are also other issues like family support, psychological and physiological impact, and pre existing ailments.

The simple act of “LETTING GO” has profound benefits – physically, mentally and spiritually. “Letting Go” is our way of embracing life, of living in each moment, engagingly and refreshingly. The following story illustrates the simple power of “Letting Go”

A professor holds up a glass of water and asks his class how much it weighs. Various answers are thrown up and the professor admits that they won’t know for sure until they weigh it. He then asks them what would happen if he held the glass up like that for an hour. Of course his hands would pain answer the students. The professor then asks them what would happen if he held up the glass like that for a full day. His students laugh and say that he would definitely get severe muscle problems- maybe even paralysis. So what causes the muscle pain and stress? “why not put it down” chorus the students. “Exactly” says the professor” It is important to think of our problems but more important to put them down at the end of the day before you go to sleep. That way you are not stressed, you wake up early morning fresh and strong. This way you can face any challenge and handle any issue, Let “LET GO” be your mantra