The celebration of the New Year also marks a moment to reflect on the most valuable asset we have - our health. This is why healthcare experts believe that it is important to focus on preventive healthcare. At a time when stress, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle have become the norm, leading medical professionals are stressing on the urgent need for preventive healthcare.

Neglecting your health not only causes physical harm but also leads to financial, emotional and psychological burden. Renowned healthcare experts from Hyderabad have come together to share their views on how people can protect their health and lead a healthy life.

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From managing stress and staying physically active to achieving financial security through health insurance, these experts offer relevant advice for individuals of all ages. Their message is clear: taking small, consistent steps toward better health today can prevent big problems tomorrow.

Dr B Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, KIMS Hospitals and eminent cardiothoracic surgeon, highlighted the importance of stress management and an active lifestyle for heart health. “Stress and obesity are among the biggest threats to heart health,” he said, emphasizing on simple lifestyle changes like reducing screen time and incorporating physical activity to reduce these risks.

“Let us work together to make heartbeats matter,” said Dr Rao, urging people to prioritise their heart health with nutritious food, exercise and a stress-free lifestyle.

• Do these things to improve heart health-

Dr Gayathri Kamineni, Chief Operating Officer and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Kamineni Hospitals, advocated everyday physical activities like gardening, household chores and walking to improve joint and heart health. She called for collective efforts to break the stereotypes about household chores and encouraged both men and women to actively participate in such activities.

Dr B Kishore Reddy, Managing Director and Chief Ortho Oncologist, Amor Hospitals, underlined the importance of medical insurance in the era of rising healthcare costs. “The incidence of cancer and lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes are on the rise,” said Dr Reddy. He urged all people above the age of 40 to get regular checkups. He emphasized on a dual strategy of adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting comprehensive medical insurance to avoid unexpected health challenges.

Dr C Mallikarjuna, Managing Director and Chief Consultant Urologist at Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) spoke on the alarming rise in health problems among young individuals. He explained how lifestyle changes and stress contribute to conditions such as kidney stones and fertility problems.

Dr Mallikarjuna advised the youth to adopt preventive measures like staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet and reducing stress to avoid long-term complications. Dr Devanand Kolothodi, Regional CEO, Aster DM Healthcare, Telangana-Andhra Pradesh, said that ignoring health causes great harm.

He urged people to avoid preventable health crises through regular checkups, diet, exercise and mental health. “Let 2025 be the year we invest in our health so that our future is more secure,” Dr Kolothodi stressed.