In another shocking case of an actor collapsing while exercising, actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi died on Friday at the age of 46 after reportedly falling unconscious in the gym. Having started his career as a model, Siddhaanth was a popular face on television and was seen on shows like ‘Kkusum’, ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’, ‘Waaris’ and ‘Suryaputra Karn’. Siddhaanth’s death adds to the disturbing list of seemingly fit and active celebrities passing away at a young age. Earlier this year, comedian Raju Srivastava also collapsed at the gym while on the treadmill and after several weeks in hospital, he passed away. In 2021, southern superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, also 46, died after going into cardiac arrest while working out at the gym.
As in the past, this once again led to the question: how much exercise is too much? How do we make sure we’re not pushing ourselves too hard and what’s the actual parameter of being fit? While more details about Siddhaanth’s death await, let’s take a generic look at what doctors are saying about exercise and heart health.
Do’s and Don’ts for Heart Health
So how are young stars, who are ‘in shape’, prey to heart disease? Speaking to us earlier, Dr. Viveka Kumar, Principal Director and Head of Cath Labs, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, said: “What we need to understand is that there is a difference between being fit and being healthy. Healthy means not only being physically fit, but also mental fitness: keeping stress under control, a decent lifestyle and getting enough sleep are very important.”
What are the precautions that should be taken to avoid a heart attack?
Dr. Viveka has these suggestions:
– Not all people who look fit are healthy. Physical fitness has to be accompanied by mental health, adequate sleep.
– Smoking is BAD for the heart. So is tobacco use in ANY form.
– Exercising is essential. One must walk more than 10,000 steps in 24 hours.
– Again, exercising too much is BAD. If you walk more than 30,000 steps a day, continuously, it can be harmful. Exercise regularly, but in moderation.
– If you walk less than 5,000 steps a day, you are leading a sedentary lifestyle and are at as much risk of heart disease as a smoker, even if you don’t smoke.
– Sleeping less than 6 hours and more than 10 hours, regularly, are bad for health.
– Avoid excess sugar and salt as they will cause/aggravate diabetes and high blood pressure, which are directly related to heart health.
Exercise the right way
While a sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health, so is too much exercise. Dr Manish Hinduja, Consultant Cardiovascular, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, told us: “If you push yourself too hard in the gym, there is a sudden increase in the workload of the heart and in vulnerable patients , it can lead to heart-related problems.”
Dr. Hinduja gives us these tips to keep in mind when exercising:
1) Treadmill: Start gradually, walk or run slowly for the first 5 minutes. Have alternating periods of slow and fast running. The inclination of the treadmill should be minimal and it is not advisable to run with a steep slope. For beginners, you should only gradually increase the speed and duration of the exercise.
two) Weight training: Start with lower weights. Increase the frequency and then increase the weights.
3) Monitor your heart rate while you exercise: Your heart rate should be less than 70% of your maximum heart rate (ie 220, your age). Ideally, his heart rate shouldn’t be above 140/150 per minute when he’s exercising.
4) Check for symptoms: Some people sweat a lot. Sweating by itself is not a problem, but heavy chest sweating, jaw pain, and left hand pain are indicators of heart disease. Get a medical checkup as soon as possible.
5) Other exercises: After 45, if you don’t like the gym, you can do 30 to 40 minutes of brisk walking, aerobics, playing an outdoor sport, or dancing.
Regular Heart Checkups: Get THESE Tests
For those with a family history of heart disease, Dr. Hinduja suggests that they should start routine medical check-ups starting at age 35. “Those with no family history of heart problems can start as early as age 50. Every five years, routine heart checkups should be done. After age 60, routine health checkup should be done every 2-3 years “Routine health checks include ECG and 2D echo. The best test to detect blockages in the arteries is coronary angiography, and for valve-related problems, it’s 2D echo.”
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