Garba and Your Heart: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Garba ki raat… dil ki baat. Nine nights of dancing are one of the best parts of Navratri. But garba is also hours of continuous exercise, often late at night, in crowds and heat, sometimes on an empty stomach or after a heavy meal. For most healthy people that is fine. For someone with a heart problem, high blood pressure or diabetes, it can be a lot. This guide covers garba heart safety tips and the warning signs you should never ignore.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have any heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or another health concern, speak to your doctor before Navratri begins.

Warning signs you should never ignore

Heart problems don't always look like the dramatic chest-clutching moment from films. Take these seriously, during garba or at any time:

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, heaviness or a squeezing feeling, especially if it doesn't settle with rest.
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back or upper stomach.
• Sudden breathlessness, or feeling much more breathless than usual for the effort.
• Cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, or feeling faint or dizzy.
• A racing, pounding or very irregular heartbeat, especially with light-headedness.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness that is out of proportion to what you were doing.

In women, older adults and people with diabetes, symptoms can be less obvious. They may feel like breathlessness, nausea, jaw or back pain, or unusual fatigue instead of classic chest pain. It's easy to put this down to acidity, gas or tiredness. If you're not sure, get it checked.

What to do if it happens

Seek medical help immediately. Stop dancing and stop what you are doing. Sit down and rest, and call for emergency help straight away. In Maharashtra you can call 108 for an ambulance, or use your local emergency number. Do not wait to see whether it passes, and do not try to drive yourself to hospital.

Tell someone nearby what is happening, and follow the emergency operator's instructions. If a person collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally, call for emergency help at once. If you are trained in CPR, the operator can guide you to begin chest compressions.

Garba heart safety tips

• Know your numbers. If you haven't had your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol checked recently, consider a check-up before Navratri starts.
• Warm up and build up. If you are not usually active, don't begin with hours of fast dancing. Start gently and increase gradually.
• Take breaks. Sit, rest, and slow down when you feel tired, hot or breathless. Nobody is timing you.
• Stay hydrated. Drink water regularly through the evening, especially in heat and crowds. Ask your doctor about fluids if you have a heart or kidney condition.
• Eat sensibly. Avoid dancing on a completely empty stomach, and avoid it straight after a very heavy meal.
• Go easy on stimulants. Energy drinks, heavy caffeine, smoking and alcohol can put extra strain on the heart.
• Watch the heat and the crowd. A packed, hot, poorly ventilated space is harder on the body. Step out for air when you need it.
• Protect your sleep. Several late nights in a row leave the body less able to cope.
• Don't ignore symptoms to keep dancing. Stopping for a few minutes is always better than pushing through.
• Go with people who know your health. Tell a friend or family member about any condition, and carry your medicines and a list of them.

Who should check with a doctor before Navratri

Please talk to your doctor before dancing hard for long hours if any of these apply to you:

• Known heart disease, a previous heart attack or heart procedure, or a heart rhythm problem.
• High blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.
• A family history of early heart disease, or of sudden cardiac death at a young age.
• Previous fainting, palpitations, chest discomfort or breathlessness on mild effort.
• Age above 40, with little regular exercise, or a smoking history.

Do not stop or change any medicine on your own, including during a fast. Fasting combined with exertion can cause dizziness, low blood pressure or low sugar in some people, so ask your doctor for a plan in advance.

Looking after your heart beyond the festival

Heart health is built over months, not nine nights. Regular blood pressure and sugar checks, a balanced diet, physical activity that suits you, good sleep and not smoking all help. You can read more about our approach to metabolic health and preventive check-ups.

Apni bhi suno. If you are in Ghatkopar East or nearby, you can book a consultation online or call 081043 74386.

Disclaimer: This article is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you think you or someone else may be having a heart problem, seek emergency medical help immediately.