Heart health defies limits to conquer marathons

Hyderabad: Scores of people with heart failure and major heart issues participated in a marathon in the city on Sunday after undergoing a unique cardiac rehabilitation programme. A few of them ran for 42 km without any stress completing full marathon.

Satya Murthy, who suffers from cardiac issues, completed the full marathon. Another heart patient, Lingam, too ran for 42 km as part of the NMDC Hyderabad marathon. Lingam completed his half marathon in Marathon 2022 and now completed 42 kms, which is a difficult challenge even for the healthy.

Satya Murthy, 53, completed the full marathon for the fifth time. Arul Anand Rao, who had a stent after heart attack, finished 10 kms marathon last year and on Sunday completed 21 kms.

Four heart patients did 21 kms half-marathon while many finished 10 kms and 5 kms. According to cardiac rehabilitation expert Dr Muralidar Babi, showcasing people with heart condition that they can even participate in recreational sports will help them lead a healthy life like others.

The cardiac rehabilitation programme is based on a research study by Dr Muralidar Babi. It helps in prolonging life while maintaining heart in good health despite major issues. Many of the participants are survivors of heart attacks but accepted the challenge.

“Advance cardiac rehab programme has transformed heart patients into runners and champions of their own health,” Dr Muralidar said. It helps strengthen the heart and prevent heart attacks.

Regular running and exercise has helped the cardiac patients undergoing rehab to improve their blood sugar levels, blood pressure and quality of sleep.

One of the participants, Vikram (name changed) has a strong family history of heart attacks and by 40 he had three stents. He was advised no physical activity, but now he participated successfully in half marathon. Two heart patients with heart failure and an ICD implant to prevents sudden cardiac arrest, completed 5 kms in Sunday’s marathon.