Careful During Diwali: Cardiac Patients Should Be More Careful During Diwali: Air pollution caused by bursting firecrackers during Diwali also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Pollutants not only raise blood pressure but also raise levels of inflammatory markers that affect heart function
Diwali is the festival of lights… means bursting firecrackers… eating sweets. As Diwali celebrations continue, people with respiratory problems, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension should be careful. Especially those suffering from heart-related problems need to take extra care during the Diwali festival. Before taking precautions, it is important to know how Diwali can affect your heart health.
How can Diwali affect your heart health?
Diwali means people eat sweets, have more pollution i.e. indoor and outdoor pollution, party for hours, sleeping late at night all these factors increase your blood pressure and cholesterol which worsens your health condition. Certain factors can damage heart health. Among them
Sugar, Salt: Diwali means indulging in food. Eating sweets and other dishes with pleasure. Many people don’t even think about how much sugar we eat, which increases the risk of health problems, including heart health. Too much sugar can cause obesity and diabetes, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. So if you are suffering from a heart problem you should control your sugar intake. Especially during Diwali, it is not good for the heart. Also, eating samosas, sauces, namkeen, wafers, etc. with salt should be reduced. It affects the organs of the body.
Fats: Sweets and savories are full of fats. Too much fat can harm your heart. Fat intake should be limited if suffering from heart disease. Sweets and savories are full of oil, which in addition to calories, also increases cholesterol. High cholesterol can affect the proper functioning of the heart in people with poor heart health. Leads to blockage of arteries. This further increases the risk of a heart attack. So there is a need to control the consumption of oily foods during Diwali. It is advisable to eat nuts, seeds, and dry fruits which are usually given during the festival in moderation.
Pollution: The loud noise of bursting crackers is alarming. Also increases blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or cardiac arrest in people with high blood pressure. Noise pollution during Diwali increases the risk of heart attack for people with ischemic heart disease (narrowing of the coronary arteries). People who have had a heart attack are at a higher risk of having a second heart attack. A sudden burst from fireworks can also increase the heart rate.
Moreover, air pollution caused by bursting firecrackers during Diwali also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Pollutants not only raise blood pressure but also raise levels of inflammatory markers that affect heart function. It also increases the risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac failure.
Alcohol: For many people, Diwali is celebrated with alcoholic parties with friends. It is a good time to get together with family, friends, and relatives. However, you should be very careful about the drinks you consume because anything in excess can have a direct effect on your heart. According to the American Heart Association, drinking too much alcohol can increase blood triglyceride levels. Binge drinking can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and even stroke.
lack of sleep: During Diwali, late-night parties and fun with friends till late night can lead to sleeplessness. Moreover, even if you want to sleep, the noise pollution caused by bursting firecrackers will keep you awake. Regardless of age, weight, smoking, or exercise, people who don’t get enough sleep face a higher risk of coronary artery disease and heart disease. Lack of sleep disrupts glucose metabolism. Blood pressure increases. It eventually affects the heart. So it is good to sleep on time especially for people with heart disease, to avoid the risk of heart attack and stroke.
