Healthy lifestyle can delay heart attacks by decades: Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee

Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria organises CPR training and cardiac awareness session in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, June 10: Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria, a unit of the Manipal Hospitals Group, organised a CPR Training and Awareness Session in Jamshedpur on Tuesday to spread awareness about emergency cardiac care, timely intervention during heart-related emergencies, and the importance of life-saving skills.

The session also featured inspiring experiences from patients from Jamshedpur who had undergone cardiac treatment at Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria, sharing their personal health journeys and the impact of timely medical care.

Addressing the media during the programme, Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee, Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria, stressed the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle from an early age to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Dr. Chatterjee said that many people believe heart attacks affect only those who have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking or drinking habits. However, he noted that while these factors increase the risk, the focus should be on delaying the onset of heart disease through healthier living.

“A heart attack may not always be completely preventable, but it can certainly be postponed. If one person suffers a heart attack at 50 and another at 70, that difference of 20 years represents a significant period of productive life,” he said.

According to Dr. Chatterjee, maintaining a healthy lifestyle from childhood plays a crucial role in protecting heart health. He advised people to adopt healthy eating habits, drink at least three litres of water daily, and engage in regular physical activity.

“We should exercise for at least 30 to 45 minutes every day. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, gym workouts, or any form of exercise that makes you sweat can help keep the heart healthy,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining an ideal body weight and avoiding obesity. Stress management, he added, is another critical factor in preventing heart-related ailments.

“Today, people face family stress, workplace stress and personal stress. Along with pollution, stress has become a major risk factor for heart disease. Adequate sleep is one of the best stress busters and should not be ignored,” Dr. Chatterjee said.

He further advised people to undergo regular health check-ups to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Individuals diagnosed with these conditions should follow medical advice and take prescribed medications regularly.

Dr. Chatterjee also urged people to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. “A good lifestyle can delay a heart attack by one or even two decades. While heart disease may not always be entirely preventable, healthy habits can significantly reduce the risk and improve quality of life,” he added.

Speaking on the importance of CPR training and public preparedness during medical emergencies, Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee, Senior Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery said, “During a cardiac emergency, every minute counts. Immediate recognition of symptoms and timely response from bystanders can often make the difference between life and death before advanced medical care becomes available. CPR and Basic Life Support are simple yet highly effective life-saving skills that can significantly improve survival chances during sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies. However, awareness and confidence in performing these interventions remain limited among the public. Through initiatives like this BLS training programme, we aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively during emergencies and help build a safer, more prepared community.”

During the session, attendees also heard a firsthand account from one of the patients,  Kashi Nath Singh from Jamshedpur, who recently underwent a successful Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedure at Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria. Sharing his experience, he said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee and the entire team at Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria for the exceptional care and expertise during my CABG surgery. Their skill, dedication and compassion made a profound difference in my recovery and brought immense reassurance to our family during my critical time. The hospital’s commitment to patient well-being has truly given me a new lease on life.”

The awareness session also focused on the importance of CPR training and how timely action during cardiac emergencies can save lives.