Shortly after her husband’s death, Menaka started taking daily walks to the temple, but was still eating unhealthily at the time of her heart attack. “I may be one of the privileged who could seek the best medical treatment, but what really matters from now on is how I behave,” she argues. Menaka has been eating more fish, fruit and vegetables since the surgery.

 

Related to her heart disease and diabetes, Menaka is overweight and suffers from high blood pressure.

 

“Taking medication for my heart and diabetes helps but it takes more than that. You also need to change behaviour to lower your health risks" says Menaka.

 

Menaka recently turned 60 and is successfully managing both her diet and daily physical activity. The medical staff who took care of her while she was recovering in hospital played a key role in convincing her of the benefits of eating well and exercising regularly.