Never Ending Sufferings and Need to Put Safety First

It has been 27 grueling months since I came to U.S. First things first. Safety, security and safe operation first. Without talking about these first we cannot talk about the rest. While on my work routine, I heard someone on my back quip -’Go, go, go, go’ like she wants someone to go to Goa in that instant with that intensity. On the same work routine, I listened another one quip ‘why is he even working without consuming well’. I listened the inner voice within ‘why are you even working without de-escalating, pausing and taking proper break.’ This sums up my situation – working without safety, working without proper intake, working without a proper pause and on top of that, still venturing out to work. It is like a patient from a hospital running an ultra-competitive 100-meter race in Olympics, giving it to the umpteen demands of the onlookers. It is disgusting when you feel the air not conducive for safe operations. It is sad when the outside environment is polluted with bitter feeling contaminants hindering the normal operations. There is a deeper meaning attached when someone asks how the weather is. It is sad that I need to say that I have been observing to have been working in this massive security-breach unsafe environment for very long - for the past many months. It is unsure how many billions of dollars it will take but safe working environment is paramount for any hope of better future. You cannot simply go about your tasks half-dead and going hopeless on these forgoing mentioned first checks. This country can do much better in giving better favorable, conducive environment across its land. After building up for the past 27 months undergoing the most rigorous of regular routines, fighting regular battles within, there has to be time for de-escalation to live with any sense of hope for tomorrow. It is very important and utmost necessity when you are not alone but looked up to and influential to lead everyone on correct path. You cannot simply create a bad impression for the onlookers by walking on the wrong path. Simply to say the gist of it all why you need to endure so much suffering and why you need to live a ‘sorry life’ not hidden but all in the open under the watchful eyes of everyone. Simply an open life doesn’t need to be so cruel. This is the honest, plain, ongoing fact and reality of the times. 

As someone who always gives weightage to process, anyone need not undergo so many irregularities every day to lead a common life and give you something out of it. Leaving all others, I would talk about the most cliched statement and one of the irregularities of the times - ‘Safety first’ for the rest of the post. This has to be taken granted in any good, favorable environments. But it is not the case. I would like to disclose in this space that when I was as little as 6 years old, I lost my father to an untimely death due to a heart ailment. As a young kid, that loss still affects me and the family very badly till date. The reason for the dear loss all through my life is the untimely demise due to heart ailment. Needless to say, it is my number one enemy ever since and it is troubling to see its prevalence in the modern world. When I thought it is bad in a developing nation like India, it is no different in U.S. either. In fact, it is much worse. Remember, for every person lost you are losing the vital support for the family for the rest of their lives. The number of families who have to endure this sudden loss is mind boggling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It accounts for approximately 655,000 deaths annually, which translates to about 1 in every 4 deaths. I am simply one and giving voice to my story, talking about it but also know about the 6.5 lakh families with young kids, wives etc. who have to endure this pain silently in the most developed nation in the world every year. If there is progress, you have to move along reducing these bad misfortunes in the society but not aggravate these risks as you lead the world. 

It is no different in India either where heart disease is major cause of death in the nation. Heart disease is a significant health issue in India, contributing to a substantial number of deaths each year. Approximately 2.1 million people in India die annually due to heart ailments, making cardiovascular diseases one of the leading causes of mortality in the country. This high number is indicative of the growing burden of heart disease, which has been exacerbated by various factors including lifestyle changes, urbanization, and an aging population. According to the Indian Heart Association, heart disease is projected to be the leading cause of death in India by 2030. Even across the world, Heart stroke, also known as a heart attack, affects millions of people worldwide each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases each year, and heart stroke is a significant contributor to this statistic. It is a leading cause of death globally, and its impact can be devastating for individuals and their families. Every individual lost untimely affects many others with debilitating consequences. 

Let us examine the primary risk factors for heart stroke which include: 1. Hypertension: High blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart stroke, as it puts added strain on the heart and arteries. 2. High Cholesterol: Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart stroke. 3. Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of heart stroke due to damage to blood vessels and nerves. 4. Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco smoke damage blood cells and can also affect the function of the heart and blood vessels. 5. Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts additional strain on the heart and increases the risk of developing other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. All these five risk factors are induced with our lifestyles in U.S., India and elsewhere. We need to consciously work on these five factors to mitigate the chances of developing risk of coming under red zone. If you navigate to this red zone by living with and habituating these risk factors knowingly, you are to blame yourself. If we are sailing along these five factors as part of lifestyles then the larger societal environment comes under scanner. 

Where there is a risk there is also a solution to avert the danger. If there are 5 basic reasons to navigating in danger zone, there are as many prevention strategies to avert a catastrophe within our known circles. Thankfully, there are several effective strategies for mitigating the risk of heart stroke and preventing its occurrence. These strategies encompass a combination of lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of heart stroke on a global scale. 1. Healthy Diet: Adopting a healthy and balanced diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium can significantly reduce the risk of heart stroke. Emphasizing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is essential for cardiovascular health. 2. Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce the risk of heart stroke. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. 3. Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of heart stroke. Smoking cessation programs and support services can aid individuals in overcoming nicotine addiction and improving their cardiovascular health. 4. Blood Pressure Management: Monitoring and managing blood pressure through medication, lifestyle modifications, and regular check-ups can help prevent the development of hypertension and reduce the risk of heart stroke. 5. Cholesterol Management: Individuals with high cholesterol can benefit from medications, such as statins, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes to lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart stroke. 6. Diabetes Control: Effectively managing diabetes through medication, blood sugar monitoring, and lifestyle modifications is essential for reducing the risk of heart stroke in individuals with diabetes. 7. Public Health Initiatives: Governments and healthcare organizations play a critical role in implementing public health initiatives aimed at raising awareness of heart stroke, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, and improving access to healthcare resources for at-risk populations. 

It is paramount that we need to live and work in a safe environment to prevent and intervene into these sudden mishaps from taking place. Prevention and putting ‘safety first’ are utmost necessities to protect everyone in a country like U.S. Living is more important than mad rush, crazy work and getting absorbed in dangerous risks. We can put everything aside and leave everything to prioritize our living with ‘safety first’. This will reduce the mishaps due to heart ailments, reduce its impact as major cause and prevent the next unfortunate incident.