| Personalized Hearts, Healthier Lives: Dr Sushil | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 5: Reinforcing the importance of precision medicine and preventive cardiology in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases, Head Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr. Sushil Sharma conducted a day-long Cardiac Awareness-cum-Health Check-up Camp in association with the Punjab Kesari Group in memory of Late Smt. Swadesh Chopra at Udas Marg Sanstha, R.S. Pura, Jammu. The camp provided comprehensive cardiac screening , including blood pressure measurement, blood sugar testing, ECG, clinical evaluation, and personalized medical consultation, while educating participants about the importance of early detection and prevention of heart disease.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sushil stated that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but advances in precision medicine are revolutionizing cardiac care by shifting the emphasis from treating disease to preventing it. He explained that modern genomic research enables doctors to identify inherited cardiovascular disorders such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, familial hypercholesterolemia, inherited rhythm disorders, and other genetic heart conditions long before symptoms appear. Early detection allows timely intervention, family screening, lifestyle modification, and preventive treatment, significantly reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death. He further highlighted that combining genetic information with conventional risk factors provides a far more accurate assessment of an individual's cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Sushil also emphasized the growing role of pharmacogenomics, where genetic variations help determine the most appropriate cardiovascular medicines and their ideal dosage for individual patients. Such personalized treatment not only improves therapeutic outcomes but also minimizes adverse drug reactions and enhances patient safety. However, he cautioned that genetics alone does not determine one's destiny. Even individuals with a strong inherited predisposition can substantially reduce their cardiovascular risk through healthy lifestyle choices. Scientific evidence consistently shows that prevention remains the most effective strategy in reducing the burden of heart disease.
Highlighting the importance of healthy living, Dr. Sushil advised people to consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting salt, sugar, processed foods, and saturated fats. He stressed the need for regular physical activity, weight management, adequate sleep, stress reduction, periodic health check-ups, and complete avoidance of tobacco in all forms. He noted that smoking damages blood vessels, accelerates atherosclerosis, and greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, while quitting smoking begins to reverse these harmful effects almost immediately and substantially lowers cardiovascular risk over time.
"The battle against heart disease is no longer confined to hospitals or catheterization laboratories; it begins in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities," Dr. Sushil said. "Precision medicine has illuminated the genetic blueprint that shapes cardiovascular risk, while preventive medicine reminds us that everyday choices possess extraordinary power to protect the heart. Together, these complementary approaches redefine cardiovascular care by shifting the focus from treating illness to preserving health. As science continues to unlock the mysteries of the human genome and technology brings personalized healthcare within reach, healthier hearts and longer, more fulfilling lives are becoming an achievable reality."
The programme was graced by Shri Gharu Ram Bhagat, MLA , Mahant Rajesh Sharma (Bittu Ji) whose presence encouraged participants and strengthened the message of preventive healthcare. The Management Committee of Udas Marg Sanstha, including Mahatma Shri Bhagwan Dass Ji, Guru Mata Smt. Bimla Devi, Daya Ram, Hansraj Dogra, Rajkumar, Tarsem Raj, Ashok Skolia, Harbans Lal, and Dalip Kumar, appreciated the dedicated efforts of Dr. Sushil and his team for bringing specialized cardiac services to the community. They lauded the initiative for spreading awareness about heart disease prevention and reaffirmed their commitment to organizing similar health awareness programmes in the future for the welfare of society.
Others who were part of this humane efforts included Dr Aditya Sharma , Dr Divyanshi Sharma and Dr Adarsh Sharma. Paramedics and Volunteers included Ranjit Singh, Maneet Kumar, Mohd Altaf, Jatin Bhasin, Vikas Kumar, Gourav Sharma, Maninder Singh, Narinder Dutta, Rohit Nayyar, Shubham Sharma, Mukesh Sharma and Anmol Singh. |
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