Anuradha Varanasi
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Written By: Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : January 6, 2017 12:33 PM IST
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) is a highly anticipated event where people all over the country gear up and restlessly waiting for D-day where they can finally put their endurance to test. While you might be anxious to know whether or not your hard-work and diligence has paid off, doctors warn that you must think twice before thinking of pushing your limits.
Every year, a few runners end up with medical emergencies either due to an onset of a heart attack or cardiac arrest during the marathon. In fact, 2 years ago during the SCMM, a 52-year-old man got admitted to the hospital due to a cardiac arrest while fourteen other runners were also advised hospitalisation. Doctors have repeatedly observed that for most runners, completing a marathon is more of a statement and they do not bother focussing on how physically fit they are. However, Dr Nilesh Gautam, HOD, Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, says that most heart-related issues crop up in runners mainly during the last one-third of the half marathon. These runners push themselves to achieve unrealistic goals and ignore the warning signs their body gives them. As a result, some of them end up in a hospital, he says. These are the 8 warning signs of a heart attack you should know about.
While coronary artery bypass graft surgery or angioplasty patients can participate in the marathon, it is only if they have recently cleared stress test, 2D echo colour Doppler evaluation, and pulse and blood pressure. These are the 6 tests you should take before running a marathon. Cardiac patients should remember to take all the prescribed medications in the morning, at least an hour before the marathon begins. Here's why sudden cardiac arrest is more dangerous than a heart attack. On the other hand, diabetics can skip one morning dose of oral tablets for sugar control to avoid hypoglycaemia, says Dr Gautam. However, patients who have recently had a heart attack should avoid participating in the marathon or any form of rigorous exercising for a duration of at least three months.
Dr Gautam says that runners should be aware of these symptoms in order to avoid an unexpected heart attack or cardiac arrest:
In fact, doctors say that those who are susceptible to symptoms of chest pains, breathlessness and experience fatigue after some form of exertion should avoid participating in marathons altogether. This year, over 40,000 people are expected to participate in the SCMM on January 17 (Sunday). Make sure to have a light breakfast before heading out of your house in the morning and arrive at the starting point at least half an hour before your marathon run begins to avoid any anxiety or stress.
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