Karthik Srinivasan, a communications professional, recently shared a deeply personal journey in TOI about his unexpected heart condition and how simple lifestyle changes gave him a second chance at life. His story is a reminder that even those who live health-conscious lives are not immune to heart issues, and it offers practical lessons for anyone seeking better heart health, sleep, and overall wellness.
Daily Running and a Healthy Lifestyle Didn’t Prevent My Heart Block: Why I Needed Angioplasty Despite Regular Exercise
In 2011, Karthik experienced mild chest discomfort and underwent an angiogram. The results were reassuring: no blockages, all clear. Fast forward to 2025, and a similar discomfort while running at a higher pace revealed something far more serious. This time, the angiogram detected two blockages, requiring angioplasty and the insertion of two stents.
He was baffled. Despite running 5 km almost every day, sleeping early and consistently, eating consciously, avoiding smoking, and having no family history of heart conditions, he wondered: “Why me?”
Karthik’s experience underscores that heart health depends on multiple factors beyond exercise, diet, and stress management. While he felt gratitude for avoiding a heart attack, he also recognised this as a second chance to optimise his life.
How Home-Cooked Meals Became the True Luxury After Heart Surgery
Following his angioplasty, Karthik completely reevaluated his eating habits. He now believes that home-cooked food is the real luxury, replacing occasional takeaways and ultra-processed packaged foods. While he allows himself the occasional ‘cheat day’, the focus is firmly on fresh, wholesome meals prepared at home.
This change has not only helped his heart but also improved digestion, energy levels, and overall health. Karthik’s experience highlights a growing trend: reducing processed and restaurant food is crucial for long-term cardiovascular wellness.
Deep Breathing Exercises Every Day Dramatically Improved My Sleep Quality and Overall Health
Despite regular sleep schedules, Karthik struggled with poor sleep quality for years. His smartwatches often recorded inconsistent sleep scores, despite trying multiple solutions, from better pillows and mattresses to sleep apps and gummies.
The breakthrough came from a surprisingly simple practice: deep breathing exercises, done twice daily for 15 minutes, once in the morning and once before bed.
The night-time breathing, in particular, transformed his sleep. He reports consistently achieving sleep scores above 85, sometimes exceeding 90, and experiencing more vivid dreams and refreshed mornings.
Deep breathing helps pre-load the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress signals and synchronising heart, breath, and brain rhythms. This prepares the body for deeper, more restorative sleep, demonstrating that even simple habits can have profound health benefits.
Why Sitting Too Long Even With Daily Exercise Can Harm Your Heart: The Importance of Hourly Movement Alerts
Another crucial insight Karthik discovered post-surgery was the importance of breaking up prolonged sitting periods, even for those who exercise regularly.
While he ran 5 km daily, his work involved long hours in front of a laptop, classic sedentary behaviour, which can contribute to heart issues. To counter this, he installed a movement alert app on his smartwatch, requiring a minimum of 250 steps every hour.
This habit ensures consistent, hourly movement, complementing his daily run and reducing the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. As Karthik puts it, he doesn’t want “sitting is the new smoking” to haunt him again.
A Second Chance at Life: Practical Lessons from My Angioplasty Journey
Karthik’s story is not just about heart surgery, it’s about reassessing lifestyle habits, improving sleep, and staying physically active throughout the day. His journey teaches:
Why Heart Health Requires Holistic Awareness Beyond Running and Diet
Even health-conscious individuals can face heart issues unexpectedly. Karthik Srinivasan’s experience reminds us that preventive health isn’t just about fitness or diet, it’s about sleep, stress management, and consistent movement throughout the day.
As he reflects in TOI, the angioplasty gave him a chance to live more consciously, appreciate small lifestyle changes, and prioritise long-term health. For anyone wondering why heart conditions strike seemingly healthy individuals, his story offers practical strategies to reduce risk and improve life quality.
Inputs from TOI
Daily Running and a Healthy Lifestyle Didn’t Prevent My Heart Block: Why I Needed Angioplasty Despite Regular Exercise
In 2011, Karthik experienced mild chest discomfort and underwent an angiogram. The results were reassuring: no blockages, all clear. Fast forward to 2025, and a similar discomfort while running at a higher pace revealed something far more serious. This time, the angiogram detected two blockages, requiring angioplasty and the insertion of two stents.
He was baffled. Despite running 5 km almost every day, sleeping early and consistently, eating consciously, avoiding smoking, and having no family history of heart conditions, he wondered: “Why me?”
Karthik’s experience underscores that heart health depends on multiple factors beyond exercise, diet, and stress management. While he felt gratitude for avoiding a heart attack, he also recognised this as a second chance to optimise his life.
How Home-Cooked Meals Became the True Luxury After Heart Surgery
Following his angioplasty, Karthik completely reevaluated his eating habits. He now believes that home-cooked food is the real luxury, replacing occasional takeaways and ultra-processed packaged foods. While he allows himself the occasional ‘cheat day’, the focus is firmly on fresh, wholesome meals prepared at home.
This change has not only helped his heart but also improved digestion, energy levels, and overall health. Karthik’s experience highlights a growing trend: reducing processed and restaurant food is crucial for long-term cardiovascular wellness.
Deep Breathing Exercises Every Day Dramatically Improved My Sleep Quality and Overall Health
Despite regular sleep schedules, Karthik struggled with poor sleep quality for years. His smartwatches often recorded inconsistent sleep scores, despite trying multiple solutions, from better pillows and mattresses to sleep apps and gummies.
The breakthrough came from a surprisingly simple practice: deep breathing exercises, done twice daily for 15 minutes, once in the morning and once before bed.
The night-time breathing, in particular, transformed his sleep. He reports consistently achieving sleep scores above 85, sometimes exceeding 90, and experiencing more vivid dreams and refreshed mornings.
Deep breathing helps pre-load the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress signals and synchronising heart, breath, and brain rhythms. This prepares the body for deeper, more restorative sleep, demonstrating that even simple habits can have profound health benefits.
Why Sitting Too Long Even With Daily Exercise Can Harm Your Heart: The Importance of Hourly Movement Alerts
Another crucial insight Karthik discovered post-surgery was the importance of breaking up prolonged sitting periods, even for those who exercise regularly.
While he ran 5 km daily, his work involved long hours in front of a laptop, classic sedentary behaviour, which can contribute to heart issues. To counter this, he installed a movement alert app on his smartwatch, requiring a minimum of 250 steps every hour.
This habit ensures consistent, hourly movement, complementing his daily run and reducing the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. As Karthik puts it, he doesn’t want “sitting is the new smoking” to haunt him again.
A Second Chance at Life: Practical Lessons from My Angioplasty Journey
Karthik’s story is not just about heart surgery, it’s about reassessing lifestyle habits, improving sleep, and staying physically active throughout the day. His journey teaches:
- Daily exercise is vital but not enough, breaking sedentary periods matters.
- Home-cooked meals outweigh processed or restaurant food for heart health.
- Deep breathing exercises can dramatically improve sleep and reduce stress.
- Monitoring movement hourly complements structured workouts for a healthier heart.
- By embracing these changes, Karthik has not only recovered but also transformed his daily habits for long-term wellness.
Why Heart Health Requires Holistic Awareness Beyond Running and Diet
Even health-conscious individuals can face heart issues unexpectedly. Karthik Srinivasan’s experience reminds us that preventive health isn’t just about fitness or diet, it’s about sleep, stress management, and consistent movement throughout the day.
As he reflects in TOI, the angioplasty gave him a chance to live more consciously, appreciate small lifestyle changes, and prioritise long-term health. For anyone wondering why heart conditions strike seemingly healthy individuals, his story offers practical strategies to reduce risk and improve life quality.
Inputs from TOI
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