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A legislator's job is tough. And it also saps their health, confirms a routine check-up conducted for Bihar assembly members last week.

Of the 243 members, nearly 146 were found to be diabetics. Many suffer from heart ailments and quite a few have had mild heart attacks.

Doctors at the camp said diabetes and heart ailments were common among legislators in the 35-50 age-group. Nearly 50 per cent legislators are in that category. Interestingly, it was news to most legislators that they were diabetic.

A doctor said the blood sugar level of one MLA "was as high as 356 while many of them had sugar leyels ranging between 250 and 350. An MLA, who during the check-up was put on the ECG machine, was detected with a mild attack." The doctors immediately put him on medication.

Director of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology, Dr SN Mishra, who headed a doctors' team said, "Stress coupled with a fast lifestyle and irregular food habits are the main causes of diabetes and heart ailments. Legislators have a very fast lifestyle," he said.

Bhim Singh, an RJD MLC, admitted becoming a diabetic after becoming legislator last year "I was never diagnosed with diabetes earlier I believe the stress and mental tension I endure as a public representative has a taken a toll on my health," he said.