World Heart Day: 9 out of 10 persons in Kashmir ‘inactive’, reveals study
Srinagar, Sep 29: A whopping 84.2 per cent of adults in Kashmir lead sedentary lives, established, statistically. The Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study data and the emphasis on running and walking across hospitals of Kashmir on the ‘World Heart Day’ underscores how including a physical activity could save then population from the growing burden of heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and even mental health declines.
This year, World Heart Day is themed “Don't Miss a Beat.” The focus on cardiovascular health encourages people to prioritize exercise and healthy lifestyles as the only sustainable and effective way to combat the leading cause of death worldwide. In Kashmir, physically inactive define almost 9 in every 10 individuals. A majority of people here residents have routines devoid of exercise or even basic walking. The ICMR-INDIAB released late last year revealed the shocking truth that is rooted in cultural, environmental, and lifestyle variables, having a cascading effect on the health of the people.
Dr Irfan Ahmed Bhat, Cardiologist, GMC Srinagar called the inactivity “epidemic” a “ticking time bomb”. “Hypertension, the silent killer, thrives in environments where there is less or no physical activity, increasing the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks,” he said. He said people need to start moving out, taking smaller walks and then increasing the distance and pace over time to do their body some good. “This is the only sure way to stay fit, healthy and have protection against so many diseases that are filling our society,” he said.
The cardiologist asserts that up to 80 percent of premature cardiovascular disease deaths are preventable through affordable care, early screening and better nutrition, in addition to being physically active. World Heart Day has been seeing events and activities across continents to raise awareness and inspire people to take their first steps toward a fitter version of themselves.
In addition to physical health, walking and running has a positive bearing on mental health. Many studies link physical inactivity to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Exercise is known to release endorphins that alleviate mood and reduce stress. "If Kashmiris don't start moving, people will have the same set of diseases in their forties as we used to see in people aged 60 and above,” he said. To drive home the point, cardiology departments at GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Soura and many other institutions in J&K and across the country have organised runs and walks.
