Check out how Ganpati Visarjan can increase heart strain through prolonged walking, dancing, heat and dehydration, and find out how to participate safely while protecting your cardiovascular health.
Ganpati Visarjan can be a cardio workout: How to protect your heart. (Photo credit: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Ganpati Visarjan is a joyful celebration, but for many people, it can also be a form of intense physical activity. Walking for long periods, dancing, lifting or carrying the idol, standing in crowded areas, and moving through the heat can increase the heart rate and put extra stress on the cardiovascular system. For a healthy and physically active person, this level is usually manageable. However, people with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or a history of heart problems should be more careful. Those who are not used to regular exercise may also find the sudden increase in physical activity difficult.
The combination of prolonged walking, energetic dancing, dehydration, heat, lack of sleep, and emotional excitement can increase the workload on the heart. Carrying a heavy idol can add further strain, particularly if the person is not physically prepared for it. It is important to stay hydrated and take regular breaks during the procession. Avoid excessive dancing or lifting if you feel tired. Eating a light meal before the procession can also help maintain energy levels. People taking regular heart or blood pressure medicines should continue taking them as prescribed and should not skip doses because of the festivities.
For people with heart conditions or risk factors, monitoring your vitals, such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, and oxygen levels, when advised can help identify changes early and support safer physical activity. Cardiac rehabilitation is also an important part of prevention after a heart event or procedure, as it helps improve fitness, manage risk factors, and reduce the chance of future heart problems.
Certain warning signs should never be ignored. Chest pain or pressure, unusual breathlessness, severe dizziness, fainting, excessive sweating, or a racing or irregular heartbeat can indicate that the heart is under too much stress. If these symptoms occur, stop the activity and seek medical attention immediately.
Ganpati Visarjan can certainly provide physical activity similar to a cardio workout, but it should not be treated like a competition. The key is to understand your fitness level, pace yourself, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. For people with known heart conditions or those who have not exercised for a long time, it is sensible to speak with a doctor before taking part in strenuous activities.
(Khushboo Bhatt, Specialist, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore)
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