Running a business or working hard to succeed in both career and personal life is rewarding, but it can take a toll on your health. The good news is that this toll can be minimized with the golden rule: prevention. CEOs, managers, and employees are increasingly budgeting for health prevention, which is one of the best investments we can make. In this edition of Major Companies of Romania, we present an exclusive interview on how to maximize our health.
We are honored to interview Colonel Doctor, Senior Lecturer Dr. Alice Munteanu, Senior Specialist in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Senior Lecturer at Titu Maiorescu University, Faculty of Medicine, and one of Romania’s leading voices in cardiovascular health.
Q: Can you share with our readers the connection between leadership, well-being, and the human heart?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: The connection between well-being, leadership, and the heart is profound, reflecting the links between emotional health, leadership style, and the quality of interpersonal relationships. Here’s how these concepts interconnect:
The heart as a symbol of empathy: The heart is often associated with emotions, empathy, and the ability to build authentic relationships.
A leader who leads “with heart” emphasizes understanding others’ needs, compassion, and emotional support. This approach contributes to collective well-being in a team or community, as people feel valued, heard, and safe.
Leadership based on human values: Authentic leadership is closely tied to values like integrity, respect, and care for others. When a leader manages their team in a way that reflects these values, it creates an environment that promotes personal and professional growth.
Well-being of the leader and the team:
A leader cannot contribute to others’ well-being if they are not in a good state of mental and emotional balance. A leader’s well-being is influenced by factors such as stress management, self-awareness, self-reflection, and emotional intelligence development.
Q: What are the most common reactions of your patients when you tell them, “You only have one heart”?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: When a doctor tells a patient “You only have one heart” it reflects several essential aspects of physical, emotional health, and personal responsibility. This simple yet profound phrase conveys several important ideas:
Vulnerability and uniqueness of the heart: The heart is a vital organ, irreplaceable in severe conditions. Unlike other body parts, the heart cannot be easily replaced, and any damage can be irreversible. It is crucial to recognize that in a stressful work environment, heart health must be protected more than ever, as some choices or behaviors can have long-term consequences.
Personal responsibility: Everyone is responsible for their lifestyle choices—diet, exercise, stress management, weight, and sleep. Doctors increasingly emphasize the importance of these modifiable risk factors for maintaining heart health.
Importance of prevention: Prevention is easier than treatment. This statement often encourages patients to take action before problems arise or worsen. It motivates individuals to adopt proactive behaviors, undergo regular check-ups, and follow medical advice. Sometimes, “You only have one heart” is a gentle warning meant to draw attention without inducing excessive fear. It is an invitation to change before it is too late.
In conclusion, this statement is more than just medical advice. It is a combination of responsibility, prevention, and a call to reflect on overall health, particularly heart health, closely linked to quality of life.
Q: In terms of health, especially heart health, what are the most important habits that can help people keep health problems away?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: To maintain heart health and prevent cardiovascular problems, adopting healthy habits is essential. Here are the most important rules:
- Healthy diet: Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Regular physical activity: Maintain a healthy level of physical activity.
- Healthy weight: Keep a healthy body weight.
- Stress management: Manage stress effectively.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Quit smoking, especially if you have risk factors or have had a cardiovascular event.
Regular health monitoring:
- Blood Pressure: Keep it below 120/80 mmHg.
- Cholesterol: Monitor LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
- Blood Sugar: Control blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes risk factors.
Adequate sleep: Ensure proper sleep.
Proper hydration: Stay well-hydrated.
Education and awareness: Stay informed about health.
Regular medical check-ups: Visit your doctor regularly to detect potential problems early.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle through balanced diet, exercise, and regular health monitoring can prevent most cardiovascular diseases. Consistency in these habits is key to a healthy heart and a long life.
Q: For a cardiologist, what does “a healthy heart” mean? What should a healthy heart mean for people?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: For a cardiologist, a healthy heart means good circulatory function, normal blood pressure, and the heart’s optimal ability to pump adequate blood for organ oxygenation and nourishment. It also means normal blood flow through the coronary arteries without blockages or atherosclerosis. Another important function is the heart’s ability to conduct impulses without arrhythmias or other rhythm disturbances. A healthy heart is one where the patient does not experience symptoms like angina (chest pain), edema (fluid retention), or shortness of breath.
Q: How should a perfect day for our heart start? How should it end?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: A perfect day for a cardiac patient should include a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally.
Morning:
-Start with a smile, without rushing, calmly, and stress-free to avoid raising blood pressure.
-Have a healthy, balanced breakfast with fiber, protein from eggs, yogurt, and nuts.
-Engage in 20 minutes of morning exercise, essential for tone and heart health.
Evening:
-Have a light, nutrient-rich dinner at least 4-5 hours before bedtime, avoiding stimulants like caffeine.
-Ensure quality sleep and remove all light-emitting devices (TV, laptop, phone, tablets).
-End the day with classical music or your favorite tunes, as studies show their beneficial effects.
Q: As working and businesspeople, how should we view stress? How stressed should we be about it?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: Stress is a constant in our daily lives. The difference lies in how we approach and manage it. Stress plays a significant role in cardiovascular health, activating the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, making the heart work harder and leading to fatigue. This factor must be controlled to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering stress hormones like cortisol, which favor plaque formation and heart attacks. Businesspeople should manage stress through activities like personal development programs, psychological counseling, and physical activity.
Q: How often do you deal with patients (including in prevention procedures) to whom you say, “Your lifestyle is perfect for your heart”?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: Unfortunately, I don’t have such examples. Our culture, poor medical education, and the financial situation of most patients do not allow them to take care of their health. Many lead chaotic lifestyles driven by work, skipping important meals, and consuming poor-quality food. The pathology we cardiologists frequently see does not appear suddenly but is the result of years of neglect and ignorance. A small percentage end up in acute care at the hospital, which is also a consequence of years of negligence. People do not realize how much can be achieved with a little attention to a healthy lifestyle and an annual check-up.
Q: How hard can people change their lifestyle to protect themselves? How long does this “journey” last?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: Seeing this question, a few quotes come to mind. One important one is, “It’s not about the destination, but who your travel partner is.” Our partner is a change in mentality, which is extremely difficult. Patients often say, “I can’t give up salt,” “I can’t stop eating fried food,” “I can’t or don’t have time to exercise.” These are the most common “can’ts.” Willpower is key, but unfortunately, people start changing their lifestyle when they become patients because fear sets in - hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, our daily enemies, appear, and then things start to change. Unfortunately, at this point, we begin the fight against future complications that inevitably affect the heart when we could work with simple things like walking at least 5,000 steps a day, avoiding smoking, sweets, getting restful sleep for 7 hours a day, having three main meals tailored to our constitution, and, of course, mental health, which plays an important role, including time with family, friends, reading, or listening to music. All these elements lead to rare visits to the doctor and, of course, the health of our patients’ hearts.
Q: If you had to change something in your lifestyle, what would it be?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: As a doctor and cardiologist, I try to set an example for my patients, but of course, the human side intervenes. I give a lot of my attention to my profession, which unfortunately for my health, does not stop at 3:00 PM with the end of the legal program.
I am constantly concerned about the smooth running of things and often forget about myself. I wish the day had 48 hours so I could spend more time with my family, go to the theater or opera more often, and have my main meals, but medical practice is a lifestyle. Each patient is a priority, so I come second.
Q: What was the most rewarding case for you professionally in recent years? In other words, what made you smile as a professional?
Colonel Dr. Alice Elena Munteanu: This question is extremely difficult. Every day I experience professional satisfaction, and it is hard to choose a particular case. As a doctor, there are many moments of smiles and joy every day, from patients’ gratitude, the recovery of a patient you thought had no chance, or the progress of a complicated case with medical or other solutions - miracles that we sometimes cannot quantify or judge.
A doctor also smiles when they hear sincere gratitude, or when they hear, “I feel better since I’ve been here,” “How do you manage?”, “You are a hero,” or “I don’t know how to thank you.” Somehow, a kind word can brighten anyone’s day.
You can also find the full interview in the document below:
