Six-pack abs give body blow to the heart

Shah Rukh Khan made six-pack abs look cool in Om Shanti Om. Aamir Khan’s beefed up look in Ghajini and Hrithik Roshan’s chiselled physique in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is the envy of most youngsters.

In the quest to attain that look and especially those attractive six-pack abs, however, youngsters are pushing themselves so much that most of them end up suffering from cardiac fatigue.

Doctors told DNA that an increasing number of youngsters aged 20-25 suffer from breathlessness and cardiac ailments due to over-exercising.

Vighnesh Rao, 24, who is keen on a career in modelling, consulted a doctor after his workouts left him gasping for breath. His medical history revealed that he was doing excessive cardio workouts and intensive muscle training as he wanted to beef up his body in three months.

Further analysis revealed that Rao was exercising without warming up and that he even began running on the treadmill at a speed of 8-10 km per hour. This resulted in a sudden increase in his heart rate.

Rao was also under the influence of steroids without consulting his physician.

This had an adverse effect on his cholesterol levels. Cardiologists say youngsters are ignoring their health to attain the Adonis look in no time.

“While exercising is important, youngsters are mostly keen on getting six-pack abs very quickly. They are reluctant to understand the dangers of excessive gymming and the adverse effect steroids can have on their health,” said Dr Pratiksha Gandhi, preventive cardiologist, IPC Heart Care Centre.

“Anabolic steroids are the biggest culprits. Ninety per cent of body builders and people crazy after six-pack abs use steroids to improve power. The steroids can not only lead to cancer and liver problems, but also result in hypertension,” said Dr Kaushal Chhatrapati, interventional cardiologist. 

“It leads to water retention, blood thickening and even heart attacks,” said Dr Chhatrapati.

Dr Gandhi agrees. “Anabolic steroids are given by self-proclaimed trainers without consulting doctors. The doses are not regulated. It can shoot up blood pressure, induce harmful changes in bad and good cholesterol levels, increase blood sugar and lead to abnormal heart beats,” he said.

Crash diets and excessive exercising to lose weight quickly is another dangerous trend. Ganesh Sathe, 28, a mechanical engineer from Pune, had to visit a hospital after suffering from constant chest pain. Doctors said he was not into exercising. However, as he planned to marry in three months, he began spending hours in the gym to lose weight.

“Treadmills are good for cardiovascular exercises, but trainers are pushing the point. Any form of exercise should be structured and treadmill exercises need a five-minute warm up at least,” explained Dr Gandhi.

Added Dr Shripad Khedekar, specialist in chronic diseases, and director of Imperial Clinics: “Youngsters must take graded exercise programmes instead of over exercising that puts pressure on the heart.” Call centre employee Swapna Bandekar, 24, realised her mistake after her blood pressure shot up.

“My parents were looking for a groom and since I was on the heavier side, I wanted to lose weight. I suffered from blood pressure and breathlesslness issues after overdoing my exercises. I then resorted to yoga and a proper diet,” she said.