My heart skipped a beat as I sat near a train traveler whose strong tobacco whiff invaded my nostrils like a shrapnel. This gentleman had the habit of mouthing tobacco dust every thirty minutes. I sniffed twice. Another traveler felt uneasy. But, for this guy, it was of no concern. Our sitting area was suffused with tobacco ‘aroma’.
I ventured to point out to him in brotherly fashion: “Bhai, I see you eating tobacco every half hour. What about your health? If you contract some serious illness because of over-consumption of tobacco, will not you and your family suffer?” His reply was intended to put me on a sticky wicket: “Even non-eaters get sick and die. What does it matter. All have to die once.”
Sept.29 is observed as Global day for awareness about cardio-vascular diseases, including heart stroke. In 1999 the first World Heart Day was founded by the World Heart Foundation (WHF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s campaign stresses the need for ‘knowing our heart first’.
We are told that cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke claim 18.6 million lives every year.
The risk factors are said to be: tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Experts tell us that “at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided.” (WHF). Such information may make our heart skip a beat. Take care!
