Latest news with #PankajGarg
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
DU teachers may be called for duties during summer break, up in arms over circular
New Delhi: Delhi University 's latest notification allowing the administration to summon faculty members for official duties during the vacation period if required has triggered discontent among them. According to the academic calendar, the summer break runs from June 1 to July 20 for most undergraduate programmes and from June 29 to July 20 for those teaching in the second semester. However, a circular issued on May 30 stated that "faculty members on summer vacations can be called for duty assignments, including admissions, examinations, evaluations and administrative work, and they shall have to abide by the same. " The clause has sparked discontent among teachers, many of whom say it undermines the very idea of a vacation and erodes their entitlement to rest and research time. "This notification reeks of the assumption that some of us aren't working just because our semester started late due to NTA delays. It's insulting," said Latika Gupta, assistant professor in DU's department of education. "We are constantly engaged — whether in teaching, guiding PhD scholars, or research. Denying us an uninterrupted break while threatening us with administrative duties is deeply disrespectful to our academic roles. " Pankaj Garg, chairman of Indian National Teachers' Congress, said he was planning to write to the vice-chancellor demanding compensatory earned leave for teachers. "If our services are now effectively non-vacational due to staggered calendars and CUET delays, then we must be compensated accordingly," he added. The notification, issued with the approval of the competent authority, offers no mention of compensation or compensatory leave for those recalled. There was no immediate response from the university over the concerns.
Health Line
07-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Healthy Lifestyle Habits Could Help Prevent Premature Heart Aging
Cardiologists are developing a method for measuring the heart's 'functional age' to help predict complications like heart disease. According to new research, unhealthy lifestyle habits could contribute to premature aging of the heart. Physical activity and eating heart-healthy foods are some of the best ways to preserve your heart's functional age. The concept of trying to understand heart health by determining its 'age' relative to one's chronological age has become a topic of interest among cardiologists, researchers, and physicians. Assessing the heart's functional age could offer a simple, clear way to understand its health status. It might also clarify existing cardiovascular risks that could be minimized by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Recently, researchers from the University of East Anglia in England published the results of a trial introducing a novel way to measure a 'functional heart age' using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which could help detect signs of heart disease earlier. The findings, which researchers describe as a 'game-changer,' were published on May 2 in the European Heart Journal. 'In healthy people, we found that heart age was similar to chronological age. But for patients with things like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation — their functional heart age was significantly higher,' said lead researcher Pankaj Garg, MD, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and a consultant cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, in a press release. 'For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that works like it's 55. People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are aging faster than they should — sometimes by decades,' Garg continued. 'So, this could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks… Our new MRI method gives doctors a powerful tool to look inside the heart like never before and spot trouble early — before symptoms even start,' Garg said. 'Functional heart age' vs. biological age Jayne Morgan, MD, a cardiologist with Hello Heart that chronological age may not always be consistent with biologic age. 'The aging process is uneven throughout one's life span,' she told Healthline. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, who was not involved in the study, noted there is not yet an agreed-upon definition of 'heart age.' 'This research is a good first step towards evaluating whether an imaging-based assessment of 'heart age' can provide clinically useful prognostic information,' Chen told Healthline. To better understand the heart's functional age, researchers measured the amount of blood remaining in the heart's left atrium after completing a contraction phase. They also examined the fraction of blood ejected from the left atrium with each heart contraction. The method was validated using 366 heart patients with known cardiac risk factors. Participants' heart ages were older compared to healthy controls, and were significantly higher in people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and obesity. 'By knowing your heart's true age, patients could get advice or treatments to slow down the aging process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes,' Garg said in the news release. 'It could also be the wake-up call people need to take better care of themselves — whether that's eating healthier, exercising more, or following their doctor's advice. It's about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease,' he added. Signs of heart aging As people age, common heart changes may occur, even among healthy individuals with no prior history of heart problems. For instance, the heart may begin to produce extra beats or occasionally skip a beat. This is not generally a problem unless it becomes persistent. If the heart is frequently racing or fluttering it may be a sign of arrhythmia. In addition, the heart's chambers — its ventricles and auricles — may grow larger with age. As their walls thicken, the amount of blood they can hold decreases. The risk of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), increases, with the accompanying risk of stroke, particularly among older adults. Similarly, the valves controlling the flow of blood as it passes between the heart's chambers may thicken and become stiffer, limiting the flow of blood. Heart valves may also develop leaks, which could lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, feet, abdomen, or legs. What causes premature heart aging? As indicated by the new study, people with certain health conditions may have a higher risk of premature heart aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four common factors that may lead to premature heart aging include: High blood pressure (hypertension) — With higher blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This can cause the lower left ventricle, the lower left chamber, to thicken and enlarge, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and heart failure. Diabetes — Research has found that having high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the heart, leading to a buildup of fatty deposits there. It is associated with a greater likelihood of heart disease. High LDL cholesterol — This causes a plaque buildup of a waxy, fat-like substance in arteries that can decrease blood flow to the heart, as well as the brain, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Obesity — Obesity has been associated with both hypertension and high LDL cholesterol levels. How to keep your heart young There are currently no universal measurements for determining heart age, but the Australia Heart Foundation's online Heart Age Calculator can provide you with a quick estimate. 'We are still in the early stages of understanding how best to determine a 'heart age' and how such a calculation could help us to better take care of patients,' Chen noted. To preserve heart health and its functional age, following the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 is a great place to start. Here's a closer look at how lifestyle factors influence heart health. Exercise regularly There is widespread consensus that 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise combined with strength training two days a week is the optimal amount for optimal heart health. Leading a sedentary lifestyle has been consistently linked with an increased risk of heart disease and related deaths. 'A sedentary lifestyle causes circulation to slow. The heart muscle weakens, and leads to weight gain, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance,' Christopher Berg, MD, board certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, explained to Healthline. Berg wasn't involved in the study. 'Sitting for extended periods of time also promotes inflammation and poor arterial function, and as a result raises your risk of heart disease,' he said. 'Even those who exercise can be at risk if they are sedentary for most of the day.' Beyond exercise, there are ways to enjoyably add more movement to one's day, including: taking walks standing up and briefly getting away from one's desk doing yoga parking a longer distance from the door dancing engaging in any sport taking the stairs instead of the elevator when going up or down just a few floors gardening and doing housework Eat a healthy, balanced diet Build meals from healthy, unprocessed foods as much as possible, with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, beans, and nuts. For protein, emphasize lean animal proteins. These include skinned poultry, fish, seafood, and low-fat dairy. Alternately, go with plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts, and lentils, tofu (soy), or seitan (wheat gluten). Prepare your healthy ingredients with plant-based oils. These include extra-virgin as olive oil and avocado oil. Try to avoid fast foods, processed meats, and other ultra-processed foods that tend to be high in trans fats that can damage the heart. Of course, be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Coffee and tea without sweeteners are preferable to their sweetened counterparts. Avoid or quit smoking Smoking tobacco increases the risk of heart attacks and atherosclerosis in several ways. Nicotine increases blood pressure, and carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen a person's blood can carry. Smoking can also damage blood and heart vessels. Health experts recommend avoiding smoking and quitting if you smoke. Avoid or limit alcohol Alcohol use has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Current recommendations for moderate drinking consumption call for no more than one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males. For some people, it may be advisable to avoid alcohol altogether. A growing body of evidence has also linked moderate alcohol consumption to cancer risk. Manage stress Mental health and heart function are interconnected. The AHA notes that depression, anxiety, and stress are linked to heart disease. Social isolation and loneliness are also associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Prioritizing your mental health, therefore, should be part of your heart-healthy regimen. Try to make time to engage with what makes you happy. Take a scenic drive, enjoy a hobby, or spend time with an animal or human companion.
Euronews
06-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Is your heart ageing faster than you are? UK scientists develop tool to track its ‘functional age'
ADVERTISEMENT Imagine undergoing a medical scan and immediately learning your heart is ageing faster than you are – and that without lifestyle changes, you're likely to develop cardiovascular problems. Scientists in the United Kingdom have created a tool to do just that. Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) analysed data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 557 people – including 336 with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes – in the UK, Spain, and Singapore. They measured traits like the size of the heart's chambers and how well it pumps blood, which are often used to predict cardiovascular outcomes. They then developed a formula to determine the heart's 'functional age'. Related New AI tool that can predict death could be a game-changer for prolonging heart patients' lives On average, the hearts of people with health risk factors were 4.6 years older than their actual ages, according to the study published in the European Heart Journal. People with obesity experienced even more acceleration in functional heart ageing. 'People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should – sometimes by decades,' Dr Pankaj Garg, a cardiologist and the study's lead researcher, said in a statement. Related Just 1 in 9 people in France has optimal heart health, government agency says The tool has some limitations. It doesn't take into account how long the patients had their health issues, and those studied only included people who lived with these conditions into older age – an issue known as 'survivor bias'. The study group was also small, and the model would likely need to be tested in a broader group of people before it is used. Even so, the researchers said they hope doctors could eventually use the tool to counsel patients at risk of heart health problems, and to make it easier for them to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Related Older people are more likely to face serious heart problems in the US than in Denmark 'By knowing your heart's true age, patients could get advice or treatments to slow down the ageing process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes,' Garg said, citing lifestyle changes like healthy diet and exercise. 'It's about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease," he added.
India Today
05-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Think you're young? New science reveals how your heart is ageing faster than you
Heart health has become one of the most important aspects of the modern lifestyle as a surprising jump in heart-related ailments and deaths is noted globally.A new MRI scan has now revealed the possibility of pinpointing the accurate age of the heart and scientists have noted it's not the same as our at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have unveiled a new way of uncovering the 'true age' of your heart using MRI, offering a lifeline to millions by catching problems before they become deadly. The team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's functional age. (Photo: Getty) advertisement 'Imagine finding out that your heart is 'older' than you are. For people with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, this is often the case," said Dr Pankaj Garg, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and a consultant team studied MRI scans from 557 people - 191 healthy individuals and 366 with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. They then used advanced imaging to measure things like the size and strength of the heart's team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's 'functional age' and checked it against healthy hearts to make sure it was accurate.'Our new MRI approach doesn't just count your birthdays - it measures how well your heart is holding up. We found that an MRI scan can reveal your heart's 'functional age' - how old it acts, not how old you are," Dr Garg added. advertisementThe team discovered that in healthy people the heart age was similar to chronological age. But for patients with things like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation – their functional heart age was significantly higher.'People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should - sometimes by decades. So, this could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks. This is a game-changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer," Dr Garg data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed a significant 12.5% rise in heart attack cases in 2022 alone raising big Watch
Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Unhealthy lifestyles may be ageing your heart too fast
Unhealthy lifestyles are dramatically accelerating the ageing of the heart, contributing to a global rise in several cardiovascular diseases, finds a study, led by Indian-origin researchers in the UK. Using a new Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging technique, also known as cardiovascular MRI scan, researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) uncovered the "true age" of a heart. The MRI scan revealed how unhealthy lifestyles can dramatically accelerate the heart's functional age. While among healthy people, the heart's age was found to be similar to the chronological age, for patients with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation, the functional heart age was significantly higher. "For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure might have a heart that works like it's 55," said lead researcher Dr Pankaj Garg, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and a consultant cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. "People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should - sometimes by decades. So, this could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks," he added. The findings could transform how heart disease is diagnosed -- offering a lifeline to millions by catching problems before they become deadly, said the researchers who called their cutting-edge technique a "game changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer". "It could also be the wake-up call that people need to take better care of themselves - whether that's eating healthier, exercising more, or following their doctor's advice. It's about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease," Garg said. The team collaborated with hospitals in the UK, Spain, and Singapore and studied MRI scans from 557 people, of which 191 were healthy individuals, while 366 had conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Using advanced imaging, they measured things like the size and strength of the heart's chambers. Then, they built a formula to calculate the heart's 'functional age' and checked it against healthy hearts to make sure it was accurate. Heart disease is one of the world's biggest killers. The new MRI method gives doctors a powerful tool to look inside the heart like never before and spot trouble early - before symptoms even start, said the team. The research has been accepted for publication in the European Heart Journal Open. Indo-Asian News Service
