'Sedentary lifestyle factor for heart diseases'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2025: One in every 5 adults beyond the age of 60 develop heart diseases, and sedentary lifestyle is identified as a major factor contributing to the increased risk of heart diseases, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Imphal Heart Institute (IHI) said today.

He said this during World Heart Day, observed at the hospital at Sagolband Moirang Leirak-under the theme "Don't miss a beat".

To keep one's heart healthy, one must change habits and lead a healthy lifestyle, Dr Ratankumar said.

Sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of proper diet and exercises increase risk of developing heart diseases, he added.

According to the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cause over 20.5 million deaths annually, Dr Ratankumar informed.

One in every five individuals above the age of 60 develops heart diseases, and one in every 100 babies is bom with congenital heart defect (CHD), Dr Ratankumar said.

He added, 20 percent of all heart disease require surgery.

Dr Ratankumar further informed that the incidence of heart diseases among younger individuals is increasing.

A person can develop heart diseases anytime.

3 percent of the heart diseases occur in persons below the age of 40.Proper awareness and timely detection is crucial for successful treatment, he said.

The best way to avoid developing heart diseases is to exercise and change "our lifestyles" positively.

A person must get routine health check-ups, Dr Ratankumar said.

The institute's Director and Chief Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Arambam Athouba said timely detection and proper treatment can save lives from heart related diseases.

He said the Imphal Heart Institute is open 24x7.The hospital has successfully treated various heart illnesses and performed many procedures including angioplasty and open heart surgeries, he added.

The hospital will have the facilities to perform heart transplant surgeries in the future, he added.

He advised people to quit smoking, consume proper diet and get their health check-up regularly.

Prof Dr Y Nandabir, retired Lt General Dr Konsam Himalay, IHI's senior dietitian Yumkham Renuca and the institute's Medical Director Dr Asit Kumar Debnath attended the event.

As part of the event, a free medical check-up camp was organised at the institute.

150 persons attended the camp.

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