World Heart Day: Dr Naresh Trehan's Tips For Traders And Investors To Manage Stress

Yoga and Pranayama may be the most effective ways to relieve stress for professionals working in the finance and investment sectors, according to Dr Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of Medanta - The Medicity.  

In an exclusive interview with NDTV Profit on the occasion of World Heart Day, the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee noted that people working on trading floors hold high-stress roles as they are responsible in managing funds owned by others.

The significant health risks that come with chronic stress in these sectors, include increased blood pressure and a higher likelihood of developing strokes, according to Trehan. These risks, he warned, only grow over time if stress is not managed effectively.

He also pointed out a worrying trend in India, where individuals are developing heart diseases a decade earlier than the global average. "The problem in India is that we are getting heart disease 10 years younger than the Western population," he said, noting the urgency of addressing lifestyle factors.

To mitigate these risks, Trehan recommended regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques like yoga and Pranayama. He recommends at least 40 to 45 minutes of brisk walking five times a week and a growing need to maintain a healthy weight.

“Try to maintain your weight no more than 10% above or below your ideal body weight,” he said.

Dr Trehan further stressed the importance of addressing mental stress. “You can’t escape stress, but you can neutralise it,” he said. "Yoga and Pranayama are the best tools for stress relief, particularly Pranayama, which can be practiced for just 10 to 15 minutes a day."

Individuals should start comprehensive health assessments by age 25, if they have a history of these conditions. 

“If there are no risk factors by the age of 30, the next check-up can be five years later. However, if risks are present, regular follow-ups every year or two are essential,” he advised.

For the broader population, he recommended a full check-up by age 30, even if there is no known family history of disease. These evaluations can help detect early signs of heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes, allowing for timely intervention.

Dr Trehan also discussed recent advancements in medical technology, such as genome sequencing, which can predict an individual's risk for lifestyle diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. He noted that personalised health plans based on genetic data can help mitigate risks early on.