Tips to help cardiovascular patients enjoy watching the World Cup in good health.
To follow the 64 matches of the 2018 World Cup finals, everyone needs to be in good health. This is especially true for those with cardiovascular conditions, who will need even more preparation.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi from the General Cardiology Department of People's Hospital 115, to have a truly enjoyable World Cup season, not only cardiovascular patients but everyone should pay attention to the following points:
+ Patients need to take their prescribed medication daily as directed, and should also be advised to take preventative medication in case of high blood pressure or chest pain while watching the World Cup.
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| People with cardiovascular disease need to be cautious when watching football. |
+ It is advisable to have an electronic blood pressure monitor at home because you can use it yourself or teach family members how to use it.
+ Preparing a proper diet for people with cardiovascular disease includes: Green leafy vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, fresh greens, etc.); carrots, pumpkin, fresh fruits (oranges, strawberries, apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit); nuts such as peanuts, cashews; light meals such as chicken porridge, bird's nest porridge, and milk.
Avoid fast food, foods high in starch, sugar, and fat, alcohol, tobacco, and strong tea.
+ Maintaining a regular daily exercise routine, adjusting the time of day as needed, helps increase the body's endurance and flexibility.
+ Performing movements in place such as stretching, twisting, standing up and sitting down, or changing posture while watching football can also help reduce stress and fatigue.
Do some light exercises like walking, cycling, or yoga during halftime breaks to improve your health.
Protect your eyes. Maintain a minimum distance of about 2 meters from the screen. Occasionally change your focus and close your eyes for a few seconds to avoid eye strain and damage, as structural changes in the retinal blood vessels may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
+ It's advisable to select good matches, featuring players or teams we love, and schedule them for ourselves. This helps conserve energy, ensures work is done properly, and still satisfies our passion for football.
+ Avoid watching important matches that are predicted to be tense and dramatic. If you cannot resist the urge to watch, consult your doctor for advice and a health assessment before watching a tense and exciting match.
Stop watching football when you feel too stressed or tired. We often jokingly say that you shouldn't push yourself too hard, or you might end up "overdoing it."
+ It's advisable to watch football with a friend or family member. Besides sharing the experience, if any health issues arise, the person watching with you can help cardiovascular patients receive timely assistance and avoid unfortunate consequences.
+ When watching exciting and spectacular football matches, a great commentator can evoke wonderful emotions, leading to extreme excitement or profound disappointment. Be mindful of controlling your emotions and avoid excessive shouting, as this can easily exhaust you, affect your cardiovascular health, and cause noise that disrupts sleep and is unpleasant for others.
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| Patients with cardiovascular disease need to be mindful of controlling their emotions and avoid excessive shouting, as this can easily lead to exhaustion. |
When is it necessary to go to the emergency room?
If you encounter any of these situations, immediately call 115 or take the patient to the emergency room:
+ Sudden, intense chest pain, a feeling like a heavy stone pressing down or a knife stabbing, which may radiate to the neck, chin, arms, and back, possibly accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, feeling faint, and cold hands and feet.
+ Blood pressure readings are found to be high (> or equal to 180/100) accompanied by headache, nausea, slurred speech, weakness or paralysis of the limbs, coma, or seizures.
+ Acute shortness of breath, rapid breathing, suffocation, inability to lie down, having to sit up to breathe, pale skin and blue lips.
According to Dr. Kim Chi, following these guidelines will significantly help prevent cardiovascular events during the football season.
Especially when watching football, it's important to have a reasonable schedule, control your emotions, maintain a proper diet, and watch with friends. In a clean and healthy football environment, free from gambling and betting, beautiful plays will be a tonic for everyone's heart.
