Kolkata, Dec 10 (IANS) A heart transplant two years back did not stop Rupayan Roy from running and now he wants to spread awareness about the same by running in the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K event here on Sunday.
The 44-year-old Life Insurance of India employee underwent a heart transplant surgery on July 31, 2016.
After taking one year's rest which is mandatory as per cardiac transplant protocol, Roy took part in five mini marathons last year.
"Although I am a heart transplant patient, I am fit now and have taken part in many mini marathons last year," Roy told IANS.
Roy took part in the 21K Airtel Run for education last week and after the 25K here, he wishes to take part in the TATA Steel Mumbai Marathon on January 19.
"I also want to run in the Kolkata Police Marathon. Let's see," he said.
Asked about the preparation he has to undertake before participating in a run, Roy said: "It is mandatory to follow the doctor's guidelines since I am living for a borrowed heart.
"I have a very controlled diet because of cardiac problem. I completely avoid eating chicken, mutton and fast food.
"I was always into sports but as my heart is wired, I cannot play contact sports like playing cricket and football. I cannot swim also.
"An echocardiography followed and it was revealed that I was a man with a dilated heart, had 20% LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) with an irreversible cardiac condition," he recalled.
It was his doctor K R Balakrishnan at Fortis Malar Hospital, who gave him the courage.
"At home, I have my wife and son who is five years old. They were very apprehensive initially about me running. But my doctor told me that I could run a world marathon and even do paragliding after the surgery. I was deeply impacted.
"I would like to break the myth that transplanted persons cannot run. I am running for that cause too," he added.
(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
