Slimming centres that have mushroomed in the past few years only exploit youngsters and it is best to exercise in "natural environment" to stay healthy, director of PGIMER Dr K K Talwar said today.
Addressing a press conference ahead of World Heart Day on September 24, the head of premier health institute in the public sector advised people, especially youngsters, to not flock to gymnasiums and instead exercise naturally.
He warned that persons above 30 years of age with even the slightest of heart ailment, should not do any kind of exercise at gyms without seeking proper medical advice.
"In other cases, you may not be knowing that you have developed a heart problem and this may be aggravated once you start doing strenuous exercises," he said.
Advocating simple exercises like daily walk as a routine, he said there was scientific data to prove that "exercises or playing sport in natural environment helps boost good cholesterol and also helps reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease". He said doing yoga can also be helpful.
Talwar said there was a growing incidence of heart ailments among patients especially between 30 and 40 years of age. "Every week, we get 25 cases of people with heart attack who come to us in a very critical stage. We also find that heart disease is now becoming common in the younger people who are between 30 and 40 years of age."
{{/usCountry}}Talwar said there was a growing incidence of heart ailments among patients especially between 30 and 40 years of age. "Every week, we get 25 cases of people with heart attack who come to us in a very critical stage. We also find that heart disease is now becoming common in the younger people who are between 30 and 40 years of age."
{{/usCountry}}He informed that PGI's Advanced Cardiac Centre would be ready over the next few months.
A bicycle rally would be organised on Sunday to mark the World Heart Day, he added.