Kerala launches Save Heart Project

Kochi, May 6 (UNI) The Kerala chapter of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) today launched a 'Save Heart Project' with the aim of heart care to all and opened a cardiac care centre 'Kerala Heart House' to pilot the project.

Launching the project here, Governor R L Bhatia called for more result-oriented researches in coronary heart diseases as the number of cases was going up and treatment was becoming costly.

Hoping that the new project would definitely have an impact on the Kerala society, the Governor said the heart disease had come to be known as 'curse of development' since the modern lifestyle contributed a lot in causing heart diseases.

Under the project, chalked out and implemented by the CSI Kerala chapter from the new headquarters named Kerala Heart House, intensive awareness programmes would be held to prevent coronary diseases.

''This is a major preventive cardiology initiative which aims at not only primary prevention but also reducing the risk factors in the population,'' CSI secretary Dr S Kuruttukulam in his address said.

A permanent exhibition for the public, preventive clinic, selecting a public figure as brand ambassador, putting up hoardings in public places to convey the messages, using visual and print media to disseminate the information and interaction with the governments would be part of the initiative.

Besides, it also plans to set up 'check BP' counters in hospitals and public places, distribute pamphlets, set up support centres to help quit smoking, promote researches and hold cardiological summits with the aim of 'total heart care.' CSI president Dr Ashok Kumar Kar also attended the function which marked the beginning of the two-day annual summer conference for the cardiologists in the state.

UNI JA ROY KD KN1716