Stay stress free to avoid heart diseases, says first heart transplant lady of Karnataka

Bengaluru, Sept 29: Reena Raju, the first heart transplant lady of Karnataka got her heart transplanted six years back. She has been living with an 'angel' donor's heart whose heartbeats gave her a fresh lease of life.

On the occasion of World Heart Day, 34-year-old Reena Raju, who won the battle of life, told OneIndia in an exclusive chat, "many heart patients die every year because of high medical charges and because of unavailability of donors at the required time. So people should come forward to donate their organs to needy patients, as their one move can certainly help to save a life."

While talking about daily lifestyle routine, she said "Being a heart recipient, I would suggest that people should consume less oil, less salt and avoid red meat. People should do regular exercises.

"I still use to do exercise by dancing on music", she said.

Reena also said that women are the ones who take care of their entire family and work, but when it comes to maintaining their own health, they become careless, so I urge that they should go for regular health check ups, even if they feel well, to avoid any major health suffering.

On being asked about how she arranges funds for needy patients, she replied, "we take help from our contacts and corporates to help needy patients as it is far beyond the reach of common man to afford transplantation expanses and to pay hefty medical bills. Usually government hospitals charge upto Rs 5 lakh, but private hospitals charge upto Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for organ transplation.[World Heart Day: Live a healthy & happy life!]

While talking about her charitable trust that was founded in March 2011, Light A Life- Reena Raju Foundation, she said, "We are taking initiatives and recently met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih and health minister UT Khader and proposed a scheme for providing free suppression drugs to organ recipients, to below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL) card holders in Karnataka, so that people who belong from financially weaker sections, can avail this facility."

Laying stress on healthy food habits, she said "avoid smoking to live a healthy life, stay stress free and live happily" is the main mantra to stay healthy and to avoid getting cardiovascular diseases.

She concluded saying, "like Tamil Nadu government has become number one in organ transplantation, people of Karnataka are also becoming more active in such noble causes. As we have one heart to live whole life, take care of it and be healthy."

OneIndia News