During the festive season, the consumption of meat, fats, sweets, alcohol and cold drinks increases as compared to other times.

Moreover, it is a tradition of Nepalis to eat many times more meat than other days during Dashain. While paying attention to food and fun during the festival, there is not enough awareness about health.

In the name of festivals, the risk of heart disease can increase due to eating more food than the body needs, not doing physical activity and exercise, and not paying attention to regular medication.

Cardiologists recommend a balanced diet, regular exercise, control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, and abstaining from smoking and alcohol consumption to maintain heart health. But does it get the attention of the citizens or not? How much do the general public follow the advice and advice of the doctors?

This is an edit

ed excerpt from a conversation with senior cardiologist Dr. Kamal Sharma Lamsal on how to make the diet well-organized and balanced during Dashain, how to reduce the risk of heart disease and what to do if the symptoms of heart attack appear.

TAG_OPEN_strong_89 Dashain is considered to be a big festival of Nepalis and it is customary to eat and enjoy sweet dishes. During the festival, there is a risk of deteriorating the health of the heart if the quantity and style of our food are not matched. How should the diet of Dashain be managed?

Our daily lifestyle, physical activity or mobility, thinking and eating are directly related to our health. All these and diet are of special importance for heart health. Eating high-calorie foods, excessive meat, rice, sugary foods, and cold drinks stores more energy than needed.

This increases the risk of weight gain, increased blood pressure, diabetes, and increased body fat (cholesterol). On top of that, if physical activity is low, then the risk of heart disease increases due to various other reasons associated with it. Therefore, a balanced diet and active lifestyle should be adopted even during festivals. In the name and pretext of festivals, the body should not eat too much and do not even need it. As before, only balanced and necessary food should be paid attention to.

In Dashain, it is customary to eat more dishes that are high in fat and use the same oil repeatedly. What is the risk of heart disease?

Eating such fried or fried chili dishes for a day or two does not mean that there is a big risk immediately. But eating such foods regularly can definitely affect health. If the same oil is used again and again, its quality can deteriorate and it can become a harmful substance not only to the heart but also to the body.

Therefore, it is better to eat less of such foods. Especially people with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, it is better to stay away from such foods. It is advisable to eat foods that are low in fat, boiled or other healthy ways as possible.

Meat is one of the festivals of Nepalese that are associated with Dashain. In the name and pretext of Dashain, the practice of eating meat uncontrollably is still prevalent. What kind of meat is appropriate to eat from the point of view of heart health?

Meat itself is not a bad or inedible thing. But attention should be paid to the amount of food consumed and the way it is cooked. First of all, it is very important that the place where the meat is prepared or bought is clean. If it is not clean and clean, then there is a risk of food poisoning, diarrhea, etc. due to the meat here.

Then there is also the matter of meat. For example, excessive consumption of red meat can increase cholesterol and uric acid and cause other health risks. It is also necessary to pay attention to the consumption of fried meat and excessive roasted meat in too much oil. Therefore, it should be understood that excessive consumption of red meat is not very good.

Fish is considered the best alternative to meat. Then it is chicken. But even if you eat fish, you should not fry it in too much oil. You should limit the amount of meat and adopt a healthy way of cooking. So I say, eat meat, celebrate Dussehra but save your heart.

What TAG_OPEN_strong_86 precautions should be taken in eating according to age?

Health conditions and the risk of disease also vary with age. People of 60-70 years of age may have high blood pressure, heart disease, or digestive problems. Such people should control their diet according to their health condition.

Children and adolescents are more physically active. Their needs may be different. But no matter what the age, the habit of eating more than necessary is not good.

Along with meat, the consumption of alcohol, cold drinks and smoking also increases during Dashain. People with heart disease or those in the risk group should take special precautions. People who are taking medicines regularly should not miss medicines due to festivals.

TAG_OPEN_strong_85 What are the main symptoms of a heart attack? What should be done immediately if the symptoms appear?

One of the main symptoms of a heart attack is pain in the middle of the chest, feeling heavy, or feeling pressed by an object. Apart from this, symptoms such as increased heart rate, excessive sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness and fainting can also be seen.

Not all people may have the same symptoms. Therefore, if there is a symptom of chest discomfort or a suspicion of a heart attack, it should not be considered normal.

In such a situation, one should immediately go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. In the hospital, the initial electrocardiogram (ECG) and necessary blood tests are done to check for heart attack. After that, the treatment is carried out according to the situation.

What TAG_OPEN_strong_84 should family members of people at risk of heart disease pay attention to?

People who already have heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, high cholesterol, long-term smokers, and obesity are at risk of heart disease. Family members should understand that such people should be taken to the hospital immediately if they have chest pain, difficulty in breathing, or other unusual symptoms. They should not miss the medicines they are taking regularly. During the festival, there is a high chance of missing medicines as the feasts and colors are more enjoyable. Family members should also pay attention during such times. Control of diet and regular health check-ups are things that the family should pay attention to and monitor.

Should healthy people also control their diet during Dashain or should only people with heart disease take precautions?TAG_OPEN_strong_83

A healthy person should also pay attention to his diet. Everyone understands that it is better to prevent illness than to treat it after getting sick. There is a tradition of Nepalis eating and enjoying various festivals like Dashain, Tihar. This is a good aspect, but it should not be excessive.

Dashain is a festival of religious, cultural and social importance. During this time, there is also an opportunity to meet family members, spend time with relatives, worship, and visit new places. Such activities have a positive effect not only on the heart but also on overall health.

Therefore, Dashain should not be focused only on food and drink. It should also be taken as an opportunity to meet family, have fun, go for a walk, and be physically active.

How does regular walking and exercise help your heart health?TAG_OPEN_strong_82

Regular exercise plays an important role in maintaining heart health. You should do at least 30 to 45 minutes a day of brisk walking, running, swimming, or physical activity that suits you.

It is not necessary that everyone should exercise in the same way. Some can walk, some can participate in sports, and some can also work in the fields. Keeping the body active and active as much as possible helps to keep the body healthy as well as the heart.

Balanced diet, regular exercise, weight control, regular checking and control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol are necessary. The risk of heart disease can be reduced if you take medicines according to the advice of the doctor and stay away from smoking and alcohol.

Lately, there have been reports of heart attacks at a young age. What could be the reasons for this?

With age, the risk of heart disease also increases. But earlier, heart attacks were seen more at the age of 50-60 years, but now they are also seen in people of 30-35 years. Some cases of heart disease are also seen in people of 20-25 years of age.

Excessive consumption of junk food, lack of physical activity, smoking and changing lifestyle may have played a role in this. In urban lifestyle, the tendency to use mobile or computer for a long time and reduce physical labor is also increasing.

The consumption of junk food is also increasing among children. Therefore, there is a need to increase awareness about healthy eating and active lifestyle from households, health institutions and various levels of the state. In the coming days, I see that the state and related agencies and institutions need to increase investment in such things. Otherwise, if the current situation of heart disease worsens, there is a danger that it will become more dangerous in the coming days.

What advice would you like to give to the general public to save their hearts?

We have learned a lot about what we need to do for our health. We have understood that we should exercise regularly, not eat too much, control our diet, and stay away from smoking and alcohol. Now we need to apply what we have learned in practice.

Let’s make a habit of eating a balanced diet, keeping the body active, controlling weight and controlling blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. People with chronic diseases should take regular medicines. Even while enjoying the festival, let’s not neglect our health, pay attention.

Medicines and treatment have their own role, but the responsibility of taking care of one’s health is first of all. Therefore, this Dashain, let us all try to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Instead of treating the disease, let us not let the disease occur. While celebrating festivals, we should pay special attention to the food and the risks it can pose to heart health. Pragati Dhakal – RSS