On this Father’s Day, let us pause for a moment—not just to celebrate the fathers who have shaped our lives with strength and sacrifice, but also to remind them to take care of something very important: their heart.
Fathers often carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. From long work hours to sleepless nights spent worrying about their families, many fathers ignore the most critical part of their health—their heart. As a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, I have seen time and again how men postpone regular health checkups, ignore early signs of fatigue or breathlessness, and normalize symptoms that should raise red flags.
The Silent Epidemic
Heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death among Indian men. High blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and unchecked stress—all of these contribute silently, until it’s too late. But here’s the truth: most heart conditions are preventable and treatable—if caught early.
This Father’s Day, Gift Yourself a Heart Check-Up
To all the fathers reading this, and to the families who love them:
Make your health a priority. A simple ECG, an echo, a stress test, or even a basic cardiac consultation can go a long way. If you are over 40, or if you have a family history of cardiac illness, it is especially important to be proactive.
Remember, taking care of your heart is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of love and responsibility. Your family needs you—healthy, present, and thriving.
A Message to Families
Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to express our gratitude, but it’s also an opportunity to encourage the men in our lives to take care of their health. Sometimes, a gentle reminder from loved ones is all it takes to bring about a lifestyle change.
Encourage your father, your husband, your brother—get them to walk daily, reduce salt and processed foods, quit smoking, and most importantly—get that long overdue heart check-up.
By Dr. Bhasker Semitha, CVTS Surgeon
Hridayanavjivanlaya, Navi Mumbai
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