It has been 8 years since I was diagnosed with Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease). My blood tests were mostly normal and there were no real red flags. And yet, there I was: at the 98th percentile of calcification of my arteries for my age.
Once I was over the initial shock, I realized I was actually incredibly lucky. Cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths (32%) than the next 4 biggest causes of death combined (all the cancers, respiratory disease, diabetes and dementia). According to Stanford Health, among South Asians, heart attacks are happening earlier (25% of heart attacks occur under age 40, and 50% occur under age 50) and with higher mortality rates (there is a 40% higher chance of mortality from heart attacks among South Asians than the average population).
It led to me making a lot of changes to my lifestyle (food, exercise, sleep) in ways that did not require me to give up eating and doing all the things I love. To ensure my changes were medically, scientifically and nutritionally sound, I worked very closely with a number of amazing clinicians, dietitians and exercise trainers.
I am sharing a few of the improvements I have seen in my health parameters through this journey to demonstrate how effective these changes have been while being quite simple to implement. Moving forward, I will share my learnings and observations on these interventions through my GeneClinicX Instagram account and on my LinkedIn account, that I hope can help those of you that are looking for sustainable and fun ways to stay or become healthy. Your feedback and questions are very welcome!
![Taking on Heart Disease: My Path to Better Health](http://www.geneclinicx.com/cdn/shop/articles/Slide1.jpg?v=1697100683&width=1100)
82 comments
Shashi Karpur: Congrats on this amazing health journey, Nickhil! These are very hard things to do and its inspiring to see that it can be done!
Nickhil Jakatdar: Shashi thank you!
Anil Sahasrabudhe: Hats off to a good regimen and bringing back sound health and longevity.
Nickhil Jakatdar: Thanks Anil Sahasrabudhe sir!
Sheila R: Thanks for sharing. Look forward to continued posts. Sobering statistics about South Asians risk of Coronary Artery Disease.
Nickhil Jakatdar: Thanks Sheila and yes those statistics are truly sobering. Increased awareness is half the battle.
Amit Kalyani: Thanks for sharing nickhil this is most impressive and interesting for lots of us to follow and learn from.
Nickhil Jakatdar: Amit Thanks. Looking forward to it.
Smita Kolhatkar: Thanks for sharing, Nickhil! So glad to hear how well you are doing. RHR 46! That’s fantastic! Would love to hear your secrets.
Nickhil Jakatdar: Thanks Smita. Given your fitness regimen I knew you would appreciate the RHR. Will share my learnings and observations over a series of posts.