Sushmita Sen suffered a Heart Attack last year despite an “Okay Echo”. Here are 7 prevention strategies you can adopt! 

Last year, Sushmita Sen, the acclaimed Bollywood actor, faced a significant heart attack while filming the third season of her Disney Plus Hotstar series Aarya in Jaipur. Revealing this health scare on social media, she emphasized how the experience served as a realization of the multitude of goals she still aims to achieve in life. Heart attacks in today's time have not confined their malicious grasp over just the older generation, it has been rising rapidly even among the young and middle-aged as well. Consult our panel of experts at Gytree for available expert opinions, lifestyle changes and heart health advice. 

Sushmita Sen’s Path to recovery post the Heart Attack

Interestingly, Sushmita shared that this heart attack occurred merely six months after undergoing a comprehensive health check-up. Given her parents' history of heart conditions, Sushmita was diligent in biannual heart check-ups. Despite her last examination reports presenting no issues just six months before the heart attack, the incident took her by surprise. She expressed, "It happened so suddenly and so unexpectedly. My last check-up was 6 months before the heart attack, and it was shocking. Everything was okay, the stress test was okay, and the echo was okay. It was a very sudden occurrence."

Work Life Impact while shooting “Aarya”

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Remarkably, all the action sequences in her latest series Aarya were filmed after her recovery from the heart attack. Reflecting on a scene from the trailer where her character falls to the ground after being shot, Sushmita shared, "When Aarya gets shot, falls to the ground and she is gasping for air, in a crazy way it was like the reel and real life, finally coming to a beautiful cathartic unison feeling. As dark as that sounds, I think it was a whole new beginning for me."

Sushmita shares lessons learned in reflection on her journey

Sushmita elaborated on overcoming the heart attack and the profound insights gained from the episode. Expressing her enduring love for life, she stated, "I was always in love with life, and I still am and always will be. I think that was one of the reasons it was hard to take me like that." Sushmita shared on Instagram about undergoing angioplasty and having a stent placed in her heart. In a heartfelt post, she thanked those who came to her aid during that challenging time, expressing gratitude for her father's wisdom: "Keep your heart happy & courageous, and it’ll stand by you when you need it the most, Shona.”

Prevention Strategies for Heart Attacks:

1. Heart-Healthy Diet:
   • Emphasize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lentils, and whole grains commonly found in Indian cuisine.
   • Reduce the intake of ghee, trans fats, and excessive salt prevalent in traditional dishes.
   • Supplementing your diet with adequate protein and not just carbs-laden “Rice meals” will help you walk one step closer to a balanced diet. Get your Protein Powder Supplements available at the Gytree Shop.
   • It's advisable to restrict your daily salt intake to no more than 6g to prevent an elevation in blood pressure. Approximately 6g of salt is equivalent to about one teaspoon.
2. Regular Physical Activity:
   • Incorporate activities like brisk walking, yoga, or traditional exercises for at least 150 minutes per week.
   • Include Indian forms of exercise such as yoga and specific regional activities.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight:
   • Follow a diet with appropriate portions and calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight.
   • Traditional spices like turmeric and fenugreek may offer health benefits and aid weight management.
4. Quit Tobacco Use:
   • Smoking and smokeless tobacco use are prevalent in India; quitting is crucial for heart health.
   • Tobacco use poses a significant risk for atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries. Additionally, it is the primary cause of coronary thrombosis cases in individuals below the age of 50.
   • Studies indicate that smoking cessation aids like patches or gum can increase the likelihood of successfully quitting smoking by up to three times.
5. Limit Alcohol Consumption:
   • If alcohol is consumed, do so in moderation, considering regional preferences and cultural norms.
6. Manage Stress through Indian Practices:
   • Engage in traditional stress-relieving practices like meditation, deep breathing, or Ayurvedic approaches.
7. Regular Health Check-ups:
   • Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels regularly, considering the high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in India.

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Individuals at high risk of suffering a heart attack

1. Age and Gender: Indians may experience heart issues at a younger age; men aged 40 and above and postmenopausal women are at increased risk.
2. Genetic Predisposition: Family history plays a significant role, especially given the genetic predisposition to heart disease among Indians.
3. Medical Conditions Prevalent: High prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia contributes to increased heart attack risk.
4. Urbanization and Lifestyle: Rapid urbanization has led to lifestyle changes; managing the impact of urban living on health is crucial.
5. Ethnicity and Regional Variations: Consider diverse dietary patterns and lifestyles across Indian states and ethnic groups.
6. Prior Heart Events: Individuals with a history of heart attacks or strokes need close monitoring and preventive measures.
7. Socioeconomic Factors: Socioeconomic disparities may affect access to healthcare; targeted interventions are necessary.

It's an important reminder that our health is paramount, and deserving of our unwavering attention. In the face of this threat, let's embrace the preventive strategies as our shields – not just as health-conscious individuals but as guardians of our own beating hearts. Whether savouring the richness of an Indian diet or finding solace in the tranquillity of traditional practices, let our choices be a testament to our commitment to a heart-healthy existence. It's time to do away with the notion that heart attacks are distant concerns. Instead, let's kindle the flame of prevention and mindfulness, ensuring that our hearts beat strong and resilient against the unpredictable winds of life.