WKND Conversations: How to keep your heart healthy and happy

The recent edition of wknd. conversations, in partnership with Fakeeh University Hospital, gathered medical professionals, survivors and fitness experts ahead of World Heart Day, to spotlight the importance of nurturing a healthy heart. The event that took place on September 29 aimed to raise awareness on how matters of heart are no longer restricted to a certain age category and why people as young as in their 20s should pay heed to this cause.

Before the panel discussions, Bhawana Sahu, marketing manager, Fakeeh University Hospital, addressed the audience members to introduce the medical facility’s new healthcare initiative, keeping in line with its ‘Made for Dubai’ care provision focused on three strong pillars: Technology-based care, healing environment, and academic-driven approach.

Earlier, one would associate heart health only as a condition that senior citizens needed to be mindful of. With more and more cases of public personalities as young as 30-year-olds suffering heart attack, World Heart Day is a stark reminder that everyone needs to talk about heart health and make conscious efforts to take better care of themselves. For the first panel, we had leading cardiologists from Fakeeh University Hospital, Dr Khaldoun Taha, and Dr Syed Sakib Nazir, alongside mindfulness coach, Hannah Philips, and reigning Mrs Universe Dubai 2021, Pamala Serena Rull.

Dr Nazir, specialist interventional cardiologist, addressed the rapid change in pace the current generation is experience in terms of daily activities and long-term goals. “We live in an ultra-modern world, we want to work fast, eat fast, sleep less and spend more time on our screens. In the process, we’re forgetting that we need to nurture the inner being.”

To this, Rull, who’s also a heart attack survivor, added, “The food we consume is mixed with a lot of preservatives. It’s not as healthy as it used to be. There are campaigns now that are educating people regarding this but there’s still a long way to go.”

The level of stress the younger generations are experiences is also much higher than previous generations, mentioned Dr Nazir. “This can also lead to unhealthy eating patterns. The younger generations are consuming more refined foods and they don’t sleep well. Seven hours of sleep is a must for good heart and health,” added Dr Nazir.

Philips, who’s a wellness coach, spotlighted the importance of taking small, conscious steps towards better health. “You don’t need something absolutely drastic to change your life. There are small steps you can take like stopping and breathing for five minutes, going for a walk after you’ve eaten some food,” said Philips.

Dr Taha, who’s a consultant cardiologist, addressed the need for early health screenings. “Most of the risk factors that we face are silent, that’s why we call heart attack the ‘silent killer’. Blood pressure and cholesterol are just numbers, if you don’t check it, you will never find out what the problem is,” he added.