2023 Navratri: Dandiya is an intense cardio workout. Senior cardiologist Dr. Kedar Kulkarni of Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune provides advice to people with high blood pressure who lead sedentary lifestyles.
In recent years, there have been a few incidents of dancers passing out during the Navratri festivities. A 25-year-old Gujarati man suffered a heart attack in 2019 while performing the garba. A 30-year-old lady passed out in Mumbai in 2022 while performing a dandiya routine. Many of us overlook the fact that these dances are nothing more than an extended period of very hard physical exertion. Additionally, an intense burst of activity may unintentionally result in exertion and strain on the heart, which may pose hazards if you have an undiagnosed and untreated cardiac problem.
Why is it so important to take heart health into account before engaging in strenuous Navratris dance, especially for people who have heart problems or high blood pressure?
Navratri dances need players to move continuously and energetically, much like cardiovascular workouts. The heart rate and blood pressure rise during aerobic activity in response to the increased need for oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, any kind of vigorous activity, including dancing, tends to raise blood pressure and increase the heart’s workload for people with high blood pressure or underlying heart issues, potentially causing coronary insufficiency in those who already have coronary artery disease. The dance’s constant style raises the heart’s workload.
Because of this, it is advised that you undergo a standard, echo, and stress test before beginning any kind of intensive exercise, especially if you have lived a sedentary lifestyle and your body is not accustomed to it.
What possible risks do those with high blood pressure who participate in Navratri dances face?
Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, are more likely to occur and can be brought on by stress, physical activity, and dehydration. The heart stops as a result of this irregularity in electric impulses. We refer to this as a sudden cardiac arrest.
Blood flow is redirected from the heart to the working muscles during aerobic exercise. This may lessen the blood and oxygen that the heart has access to, particularly in people who have coronary artery disease.
People with specific medical disorders, such as hypercoagulability (an increased propensity to develop blood clots) and atrial fibrillation (a form of arrhythmia), may find that participating in Navratri dances increases their risk of blood clots.
Lack of sleep prevents the muscles from healing, and sweating causes dehydration, which thickens blood and makes it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. These are additional risk factors.
When participating in Navratri dances, people must be conscious of their physical limitations. Don’t dismiss symptoms like exhaustion, dyspnea, lightheadedness, or irregular heartbeat. It’s critical to stop, hydrate, and see a doctor if any of these symptoms appear.
What part do proper dance motions, intervals between dances, and hydration play in helping people celebrate Navratri in a heart-healthy way?
In order to avoid dehydration, clotting, and maintain regular blood flow, it is imperative that participants in Navratri dances drink enough water. Before, during, and after dancing, sip water. Regular rest periods help control heart rate and prevent the heart from being unduly stressed. This is especially true when one is exhausted or experiencing dyspnea.