Ahmedabad organises various programmes on World Heart Day tomorrow

Ahmedabad, Sep 27 (UNI) To mark the World Heart Day tomorrow, the city has organised a series of programmes to spread awareness about the factors leading to the killer disease.

Addressing reporters here today, eminent cardiologist Dr Shrenik Shah of the Sterling Hospitals expressed concern over the alarming rise of the disease in the state.

He said currently Gujarat tops the list of endemic states that have a high number of cardiac patients.

He said a 'Walkathon' -- a walk for the healthy heart, has been organised tomorrow with emphasis on prevention of the world's number one killer disease. In this awareness drive, various medical associations and corporate houses of the city will participate.

In a unique initiative, Sterling Hospital has also set up health assessment centres at various residential colonies in the city to conduct basic health check-ups for the people.

''We have also designed a special 'Cardiac Screening Package' at Rs 1,100 and walk-in walk-out angiography at Rs 6,500, which would help identify people suffering from cardiac disease, for a month.'' Another Cardiologist (Interventional) Dr Milan Chinubhai Chag of the Heart Care Clinic said the occurrence of heart disease is higher in Asia as compared to western countries and experts believe that by 2010, India will be on top of list in the world.

He said by 2025, it is estimated that more than 1.5 billion people will have high blood pressure -- one of the biggest single risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

He said in the last five years, the percentage of women suffering from heart disease has increased considerably, with more than 16 women per minute dying due to cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke across globe.

Mr Chag said the factors leading to heart disease are of two types -- one is non-controllable like family history, age, gender, previous heart stroke and the other that is controllable factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and use of birth control pills. In such cases, an early detection is required.

He said one can reduce the risk by controlling blood sugar level, cholesterol, blood pressure, losing weight and making healthy lifestyle changes.

To manage diabetes and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, he advised the people to eat healthy foods, do regular physical activity and loose excess weight. The smokers must quit smoking immediately and those who drink alocohol should consume it in moderation, he suggested.

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