Durga Puja is the happiest time of the year in Kolkata. But long nights of pandal hopping, big crowds, heat, the loud dhak and plenty of fried food and sweets also put extra load on the heart. If you or an elderly family member has high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes, a little planning lets you enjoy every day of Pujo safely.
Why Pujo days are hard on the heart
Walking for hours, climbing stairs and standing in long queues
Heat, humidity and sweating, which can cause dehydration
Late nights and missed sleep
Missed or late medicine doses
Heavy, salty, oily food and sweets
Smoke from dhunuchi and crowds in closed spaces
Before you step out
Take your medicines on time. Do not skip a BP, heart or sugar medicine dose because you are going out.
Check your BP (and sugar, if you are diabetic) before leaving. See how to check blood pressure at home.
Carry your medicines, a written list of them and your prescription.
Wear comfortable shoes and light cotton clothes.
Plan a short route. Elderly people and heart patients should avoid peak crowd hours.
Carry water and a small, light snack.
While pandal hopping
Rest for a few minutes every 30 to 45 minutes. Sit down when you feel tired.
Drink water regularly, unless your doctor has told you to limit fluids.
Go easy on salt, fried food and sweets. If you are diabetic, keep sweets to a small portion.
Stay away from thick smoke and very crowded closed pandals if you have heart or breathing problems.
Avoid carrying heavy bags or children for a long time.
Warning signs: stop and get help at once
Pain, pressure or tightness in the chest
Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
Sudden breathlessness, heavy sweating or nausea
Dizziness, fainting, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat
If any of these happen, stop walking, sit down and call 112 or go to the nearest hospital immediately. Do not wait for it to pass. Read more: chest pain: gas or heart attack?
After Pujo: get a heart check-up
Festival weeks often push blood pressure and sugar up. A simple check-up after Pujo, with BP, ECG, blood sugar and a lipid profile, tells you where you stand. At MCR you can see a doctor and get the ECG and blood tests done under one roof. See our Cardiology page for doctors' days and timings.
How to book
For a heart or BP check-up, book a clinic appointment or call/WhatsApp +91 9830525004.
MCR Super Speciality Polyclinic & Pathology, 11A, Sourin Roy Road, near Behala Tram Depot, beside Ellora Cinema Hall, Behala, Kolkata 700034. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 8 PM (Sunday closed).
General information: This article is general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
