HOW CARDIOLOGISTS PROTECT THEIR OWN HEARTS

Most cardiologists feel that diet and exercise alone are not enough to prevent cardiovascular disease ,eventhough they are the corner stones .

.Many of the cardiologists are taking statins also as part of prevention. Learn how top cardiologists protect their own hearts

DR.EAPEN PUNNOOSE ,CHIEF CARDIOLOGIST, MOSC  MISSION HOSPITAL KOLENCHERY, writes

My approach to prevention has changed drastically after I was detected to have mild carotid stenosis and minor coronary plaques. I thought I was immune to atherosclerotic disease as I had no conventional risk factors other than family history.Total chol was 170 mg %. LDL less than 100 mg% .HDL- 40 mg % , body mass index less than 21 . Now on statins my LDL is 50mg % and HDL 35 mg % and I check lipid once in  3 months

Diet – I have cut down drastically on fried foods , coconut oil , butter , egg yolk , quantity of carbohydrates , snacks, cakes and ice creams  etc . I eat all foods at functions but in  moderation. . I have lost 3 Kgs in 6 months.

Exercise-  Since college days , I had stopped regular exercise. Now  I try to do brisk walk for  30 min daily at night but invariably end up doing on 3 – 4 days a week . I take my dog for a walk in the morning  for 5- 10 minutes.

Drugs – Currently I  am on  Rosuvostatin  10 mg  daily . Aspirin 75 mg daily , Metoprolol succinate 25 mg  daily , and a multi vitamin containing 5 mg folic acid  ( homocysteine level was mildly elevated )

PROF.DR.K.VENUGOPAL, PROFESSOR OF CARDIOLOGY AMRITA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES writes

i have been monitoring my blood sugar, lipids and blood pressure regularly  and  have been maintaining them within normal range. I  have tried to  maintain a normal BMI  though not always successful. i go for  exercise  (walking) 3-4 days  a week  whenever possible. I have been on small dose of statins and ace inhibitors  for control of mild hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Stress management is practised but not always with success.My routine diet is low fat with minimum dietary oil and salt.

DR.G.VIJAYARAGHAVAN ,HOD CARDIOLOGY ,KERALA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES  ,TRIVANDRUM  writes

Most commonly used equipment in my house is the weighing machine. Even subtle upscale fluctuations do make me upset so that diet becomes stricter and indiscretions are avoided.

I was never fond of food; hence dieting has never been a major problem. I love vegetables and fish. Only thing which spoils my dieting is the liking for fried food. However near total avoidance of coconut, coconut oil, butter, ghee and Vanaspathi helps me a lot. I always joke that I eat more vegetables than my neighbour’s cow. (Of course there is no cow at home). I have cut down intake of rice substantially and avoid all other types of carbohydrates.

I am lactose intolerant. Hence no milk and milk products in my diet. I never liked sweets and hence totally avoid desserts.

I love walking. Used to trek all over Kerala mountains and in many countries where I worked. As you become older and go up the corporate ladder exercise program becomes the casualty. I used to walk for about 45 minutes daily but of late this is getting irregular and my treadmill is lying idle. I have to change.

I never used tobacco in any form and in fact is allergic to tobacco smoke. I have never been a slave to alcohol.

Reading novels and holidaying is something I love. Week ends used to be fun. Defusing the hospital and academic stress by holidaying even as part of conferences has helped my psyche to get recharged and rejuvenated. I hope I can continue to enjoy this for many more years to come.

DR.ANANDKUMAR ,INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST ,LAKESHORE HOSPITAL ,KOCHI  writes

This is how I care about CAD prevention
Diet: I am a fan of fine food, most of them high fat/redmeat  based.
But overall I restrict red meat/very high fat food to not more than 3
times/week, but still I should confess that my diet is not very
healthy. I think its time I should regularize it
Exercises: I have a treadmill at home which was bought 3 yrs ago, but
over time, its application has very much come down. But I have
compensated by walking (almost all of which is during my work
schedule). 3 yrs ago I had pledged not to use ‘Lifts’ in the hospital,
and since then I have not used them.I have to climb up till 7th, 8th
or 9th floor, 5-6 times per day + lots of walking in the first 2
floors. I can say 30-40 minutes of brisk walking every day.
Smoking: I was always a non-smoker, and luckily no much exposure to
passive smoking also
Blood Lipids: I have checked my lipid profile and blood sugars once in
a while, last time was 2 yrs back. My LDL is always<100 mg/dl, My
sugars are normal, My HDL is a bit low 33-39 mg/dl. Again, I think I
should get it done at least yearly.
Weight management: I am probably luck not to be overweight, partly
genetic, I suppose. My BMI as of today is 23.0. Luckily not much

DR GOVINDAN UNNI ,CHIEF CARDIOLOGIST ,JUBILEE MISSION HOSPITAL ,TRICHUR writes

I do not smoke

I do regular exercise, esp. Abdominal exercise to keep my abdomen within reasonable limits

I am basically a vegetarian, though I confess to eating lots of sweets in oil and ghee.

I take some fruits every day

DR.K.A.CHACKO,HOD CARDIOLOGY,LAKESHORE HOSPITAL ,KOCHI writes

weigh myself frequently and see I do not put on weight.§  My diet contains leafy vegetables and fruits; very little red meat, fried food and oil. I do not use ghee, butter or coconut oil.

§  I exercise on a treadmill for 1 hour at least 5 days a week: 4 to 6.5 km / hr; 3 to 12 %.

§  I take a statin because my cholesterol level was not ideal.

§  I do not use tobacco in any form.

§  I periodically check by blood pressure to make sure it is normal.

DR C.ASHOKAN NAMBIAR ,SR.CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST ,FORMER PROFESSOR & H.O.D.CARDIOLOGY ,CALICUT MEDICAL COLLEGE  writes

E-MAIL: hrdya44@yahoo.com

STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE

1.I do not smoke.

2.Do not consume alcohol.

3.I take care to keep my weight constant(60 Kg for the last 30 years).

4.Regular swimming, the only exercise possible for me.

5.Prudent diet, avoiding meat,restricting fat and consuming more vegetables and fruits.

6.Regular blood tests(every 6 months) to check blood sugar,lipid profile and renal function which are within normal limits so far.

7.Blood pressure and heart rate check up weekly. I use a medication to keep them within normal range.

8.I record an electrocardiogram(ECG) every year and get one Echo done every two years as part of preventive strategy.

DR.AJITKUMAR,PROFESSOR OF CARDIOLOGY,SRICHITRA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES TVM writes

1. I try to be comfortable and relaxed; basically try not to get excited or tense even during interventions(angioplasty procedures) deliberately.

2. Reduce weight within limits

3. Exercise if possible on a tread mill: speed 4-6km/hr for 30mts.

4. Regular statins with cholesterol check.

5. Primary prohylaxis with Aspirin 75mg daily.

Regards,

Ajit

DR JOHNY JOSEPH.CARDIOLOGIST.CARITAS HOSPITAL.KOTTAYAM writes

Dear dr sajy,

Your question “what u do for your heart” is  an eye opener to me .

What I do

Diet

50% reduction in saturated fat once I became aware that I have high cholesterol (310mg on routine checkup..to my great surprise)—this happened 25 yrs ago. Significant reduction in coconut oil and coconut products was our initial change done  in  our family diet . Cholesterol  levels came down  to 230s consistently.

Next surprise was the awareness that I have borderline diabetes too. This was 9 years ago. Statins were added which easily brought down Ldl to less than 70mg. My consolation was my HDL which was  above 60 mg most often.

Exercise

Been very active in sports in college days till MBBS. Became mostly sedentary for next 15 yrs. The concept to keep fit was only in desire but no consistent action was happening.. Post graduation ,early professional  life ,marriage ,own car .. ..time flew away. A small  potbelly gradually creeped in.  Restarted exercises by 40s .Never been able to do in a consistent fashion to proper levels.  Does  30 -40 mts walking(tread mill) x 2 or 3 days a week. Finds that  5-10 “suryanamaskar “also effective for trunk and arms. Time still is a big challenge which I have to conquer.

Looking back urbanization has had its toll in me. Diabetic or coronary problems were un heard  in my parents or grandparents . I used  boast  in my mind that I will be ” naturally “be immune to diabetes. High fiber multisession (5 per day) diet in village days was replaced  by 2 big meals (especially a late afternoon lunch) in my midlife.  Even though there was no overt diabetes fasting hyperglycemia persisted despite diet and moderate weight reduction. Metformine and pioglitazone enabled to me to keep my HbA1C in target around  6 . Insulin resistance which is part of sedentary life and early abdominal obesity  appears to be the prize I have paid for climbing the professional ladder.

“Deurbarnisation” of my self, my family members particularly kids ,teens and the  youth , and people around me ,while enjoying the benefits of modern life  is the challenge for me . This my one of my priority in future research  also.

Had not Prof R J Manjuran , my teacher ,conducted a survey among doctors(including myself) 25 years ago on cholesterol I am sure that  I would not have checked it for next 10 or 15 years because of feeling  of “I am OK”. It underlines the value routine checks , surveys and  queries that you have posted in your novel effort.

Wishing you the best

Dr Johny Joseph