As a much sought after cardiac surgeon, Dr Ramakanta Panda, chairman of the Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, has his hands full. “My days are filled with emergencies, long hours and emotionally charged decisions. The operating theatre is not just physically demanding; it is mentally exhausting. And yet, ours is a profession that demands good bedside manners toward patients,” he says. A perfect cocktail of triggers that can result in hypertension. Understanding the risks of hypertension that a surgeon has, Dr Panda makes conscious choices. “Maintaining blood pressure is not about extremes but about disciplined moderation. So, every professional, regardless of being a doctor, should develop a disciplined approach in their 30s. That will surely hold good in their 50s,” he says. No compromising on sleep, movement The biggest and most ignored cornerstone is sleep. Despite unpredictable calls, Dr Panda says he has always prioritized deep sleep through Yoga Nidra whenever possible, keeping a consistent schedule. “Sleep deprivation is independently associated with hypertension; blood pressure drops by 10-20% during sleep. There are days when sleepless nights …