Chandigarh: Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao today urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and aware about their heart health on the occasion of World Heart Day. In a special public awareness message issued under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and the Health Department, Haryana, the Health Minister said that high blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the leading and preventable risk factors for heart disease and is also considered a “silent killer”.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao specifically advised patients suffering from hypertension to seek regular medical advice, take medicines prescribed by doctors regularly to prevent complications, avoid changing medication on their own, and undergo regular follow-up at the nearest government health centre or NCD clinic.
She said that physical inactivity, obesity, an unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and excessive stress are major risk factors for heart disease. To prevent these, citizens should exercise regularly for 30 to 45 minutes a day, at least five days a week, maintain a healthy body weight and reduce salt intake while consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables.
