Senthilkumar Nallusamy, chief cardiologist, Rana Hospital, checking the blood pressure of a person at a gym during an awareness programme in Tiruchi on Monday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The purpose of going to the gym should not be merely to strengthen the muscles; it should be aimed at protecting and strengthening the heart in a safe and healthy way, said Senthilkumar Nallusamy, chief cardiologist, Rana Hospital, here on Monday.
Seeking to create awareness about cardiac health among people engaged in regular workouts at a gym in the city on the eve of World Heart Day here on Monday, the cardiologist explained the safe pulse-rate range during treadmill exercise. The Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) is commonly estimated using the formula: MHR = 220−age. However, this is only a reference estimate and not a universal safe limit.
The safe pulse rate until which one can run on a treadmill is the Target Heart Rate (THR) which is 70–85% of the estimated MHR as per that person’s age, he said.
The cardiologist advised the public to avoid undue exertion and to ensure that that the exercises were appropriate to one’s age and individual health condition in order to protect the heart.
“During exercise, symptoms such as chest pain, unusual breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, or an abnormal heartbeat should not be ignored. Individuals experiencing such symptoms should stop exercising and seek appropriate medical attention,” he said.
Blood pressure was checked and heart friendly diet charts were distributed to the gym enthusiasts on the occasion.
Published – September 28, 2026 07:14 pm IST
