Controlling weight and sugar level is crucial in time of Covid-19, experts say

COIMBATORE: With the Covid-19 pandemic situation restricting people’s movement and regular physical activity because many parks, playgrounds and walking tracks remain closed and boredom forcing people to uncontrolled snacking, cardiologists and diabetologists say its time people found other ways to stay physically active and maintain their weight according to their body mass index.
They say simply maintaining low cholesterol levels is not enough to prevent a heart attack. According to them, physical activity and eating right will also help patients bring their diabetes and hypertension under control--- crucial factors in recovering from Covid-19.
While it is a known fact that LDL cholesterol could lead to a build up of fatty deposits within walls of arteries, which in turn reduce or block flow of blood or oxygen to the heart, doctors say that other factors also contribute to arteries narrowing.
“It includes high blood pressure, being overweight, lack of physical exercise and even mental tensions,” he said.
Doctors say keeping blood pressure and sugar levels in check is crucial in making your heart strong.
“People should keep watching their blood pressure and sugar levels. Maintaining an ideal body weight by maintaining a nutrient rich, low calorie, low fat diet and being physically active contributes to keeping blood glucose levels under optimal control,” said chief diabetologist, Kovai Diabetes Speciality Centre & Hospital, Dr R Balamurugan. “Not being overweight reduces the pressure on your heart,” he added.
Besides helping maintaining a healthy heart, keeping blood sugar levels and hypertension in check for diabetes will also play a major role in recovering from Covid-19 if infected.
ESI Hospital dean Dr Nirmala says perfect blood sugar levels may help in slowing down spread of the infection. “Generally, for diabetics, especially uncontrolled, any infection, including Covid-19, spreads faster. So, blood sugar levels must be maintained,” she says.
“People with already existing heart problems also find it hard to withstand breathlessness and pneumonia,” she adds.