To commemorate World Heart Day 2024, Mediabrief reached out to Sourabh Agrawal, Senior Vice President of Lupin Ltd, to discuss how individuals in the healthcare, wellness, and pharma industries walk the talk when it comes to heart health. In this exclusive interaction, Agrawal shares insights on best practices for heart health and reveals the personal practices he follows.
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o kick off our conversation, Sourabh Agrawal emphasizes the importance of heart health practices that everyone can adopt. He also shares the personal routines he follows, aiming to convey the key message of the song Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji into everyday lives and to treat our hearts with the same care and attention we give to a baby.
“In today’s fast-paced world, our once robust, healthy, and active hearts often get neglected due to poor lifestyle choices and sedentary habits. By starting small and building consistent healthy habits, we can transform our lives. In an era where junk food is a fad, embracing a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, reducing alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco can bring about a significant change,” says Agrawal.
Revealing how to ensure consistency despite a busy schedule, he adds, “Regular physical activity, even on busy days, can be a game-changer. Pair this with a consistent meal and sleep schedule to manage stress and ensure mental wellness. The benefits of these changes are not just physical; they also bring a sense of accomplishment and optimism about our health journey.”
“Personally,” he shares, “I’m incredibly mindful of the food I eat, especially portion sizes. On days when I can’t fit in a workout, I stay physically active by walking around the workplace. I’ve incorporated yoga into my routine, not only to keep me physically fit but also as a powerful tool for mental wellness. I prioritize regular health check-ups to monitor my cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and diabetes. Even with a busy schedule, I believe that resilience is key to staying consistent with my health.”
Importance of diet and fitness
Talking about the importance of diet and fitness for heart health, Agrawal states, “I cannot overestimate the role of diet and fitness in maintaining and improving heart health. A nutritious diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins helps manage cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It is also crucial to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids from fish, high-fiber, and antioxidant-rich items into daily meals and make a concerted effort to reduce salt, sugar, and saturated fat intake. Keeping hydrated is key, along with portion control.”
Sharing nutrition tips for a heart-healthy lifestyle, he adds, “Regular exercise—like brisk walking, swimming, or yoga—improves heart function. But it’s not just about the exercise; it’s about the joy and satisfaction you get from it.
“Consistency is vital; find a physical activity you enjoy and stay consistent by joining a class or creating a group of enthusiasts who can motivate each other to stay regular. This will ensure a heart-healthy lifestyle through both physical and mental well-being and a more positive and motivated outlook on life.”
Mental wellness and heart health
Given the strong connection between mental wellness and heart health, Agrawal shares suggestions on how to manage stress as we increasingly hear stories of young professionals succumbing to heart attacks and brain strokes. “A critical reason for this is high-stress levels and lifestyle disorders. While we have little control over external stress-causing factors, we must take matters into our own hands where we can,” he expresses.
“Stress management is integral to maintaining heart health, as chronic stress can lead to hypertension. Personally, I practice mindfulness and meditation to manage stress effectively and find it beneficial to disconnect after work hours to unwind and recharge,” says Agrawal.
He advises, “I encourage everyone to engage in regular physical activity and relaxation practices such as deep breathing exercises and yoga, prioritize sleep, and engage in hobbies to create a work-life balance,” sharing that, “I also follow and advise setting time aside for leisure and family, which can alleviate stress. Equally important is a robust support system, which plays a crucial role in coping with stressors. It’s not just about managing stress individually, but also about the connections we have with others that contribute to our overall well-being.”
Credible platforms for heart health awareness
Agrawal sheds light on the digital platforms and resources he recommends to stay updated about heart health and overall wellness. “As we all know, the internet can be both a bane and a boon in staying informed about health. A simple search for symptoms can lead us down a rabbit hole of information that can easily cause panic. I recommend relying on reputable sources that provide evidence-based information. Trusted health websites like the American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic are invaluable resources for the latest research and guidelines.”
“In addition, subscribing to medical journals, such as those from the World Health Organization, can offer in-depth insights into recent developments in cardiovascular care. I also prioritize resources authored by medical professionals or accredited institutions, as well as peer-reviewed journals and publications from recognized health organizations,” states Agrawal.
Health-tech tools for heart health
Agrawal shares that while he himself hasn’t used any health-tech tools to monitor heart health, he believes, “For those without any serious conditions, fitness apps and trackers are a good option for tracking heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns, which in turn motivate healthier choices. However, for individuals who have experienced a heart attack or have serious cardiac concerns, special care is required.”
“Lupin’s DTx proposition, Lyfe, is a revolutionary remote cardiac rehab program for patients who have suffered from heart conditions. It is a solution specifically tailored for each patient, offering real-time monitoring, AI-driven insights, and personalized care to help manage heart health effectively and reduce the risk of future cardiac events,” highlights Agrawal.
Promoting heart health among employees
Discussing how Lupin promotes heart health among its employees, Agrawal expands, “At Lupin, we promote heart health through comprehensive wellness programs focused on preventive care. We organize health screening camps, nutrition workshops, and fitness challenges to engage employees.”
Further, he adds, “We provide access to mental wellness specialists and resources, recognizing the vital link between mental and physical health. By fostering a culture that prioritizes health, we empower employees to adopt heart-healthy habits. Regular communication through newsletters and seminars reinforces the importance of heart health, making it an integral part of our workplace ethos.”
Lupin’s role in spreading awareness
Agrawal emphasises that Lupin is committed to raising awareness about heart health through several impactful initiatives to reduce cardiovascular risk. “We engage in community outreach programs, educational campaigns, and partnerships with healthcare providers to disseminate information about the prevention and management of heart diseases.”
He also elaborates on their patient support programs which are designed to raise awareness, offer counselling, enable medication adherence, encourage healthy lifestyle habits, and a comprehensive and integrated approach to facilitate positive patient outcomes.
Trends in heart health management
Agrawal discusses the trends emerging in heart health management and shares advice on how the healthcare and wellness industries can work together to promote preventive measures for heart health.
“Firstly, it’s crucial to grasp the reasons behind the surge in heart diseases. Changing lifestyles are a key factor in this escalating disease burden, prompting the industry to concentrate on innovative products and services as a solution.”
“At Lupin,” shares Agrawal, “we initiated our journey with lipid-lowering drugs like Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin, but as the disease continued to advance, the necessity for combination drugs emerged. This led us to introduce more potent cholesterol-lowering solutions. Our recent launches, Inclisiran and Tilpazan, cater to those with extremely high cholesterol levels who don’t respond well to regular treatments, offering a ray of hope in the battle against heart diseases.”
“Another encouraging development in heart health management is the integration of digital health technologies. Wearable devices that provide real-time monitoring of vital signs and telemedicine platforms that facilitate remote consultations are revolutionizing how individuals manage their heart health. Digital therapeutics and cardiac rehabilitation programs are gaining ground, offering targeted interventions and support.
Through our subsidiary Lupin Digital Health, we offer Lyfe, our digital health solution for cardiovascular disease. Lyfe is a groundbreaking remote cardiac rehab program for patients who have suffered from heart conditions. It’s a solution that’s tailored for each patient, offering real-time monitoring, AI-driven insights, and personalized care to effectively manage heart health and reduce the risk of future cardiac events,” he adds.
“Lastly, but certainly not least, preventive diagnostics, including genetic testing, provide an additional layer of personalized care. They identify individuals at higher risk and enable proactive measures, showing that we understand and care about each patient’s unique health needs.
“To promote preventive measures for heart health, healthcare providers can also leverage wellness programs to educate patients about the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and stress management,” explains Agrawal.
Significance of World Heart Day
To conclude, Agrawal shares that “World Heart Day is not just a date on the calendar for me. It’s a day that holds deep personal and professional significance. I’ve witnessed the heartbreak of losing family members and friends to sudden cardiac events. And as a professional advocate, it’s a stark reminder of the need to promote cardiovascular health.”
“My message to everyone is this: take control of your health and make heart health a priority, even in the midst of busy schedules and competing demands. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. By prioritizing heart health today, you can have a profound impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones,” he advises.
