Hyderabad, Sep 29 : A half-marathon run, a cycle rally and other programmes were organised in Hyderabad on Sunday to mark World Heart Day.
Cardiological Society of Telangana organised a cycle rally around KBR park to create awareness about heart diseases and its preventive measures, emphasising on the importance of exercise and good heart-healthy habits.
Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajendar, Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C.
Sajjanar, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shoba participated in the celebrations, among others
The World Heart Federation, in association with World Health Organisation (WHO), has been celebrating World Heart Day on September 29 every year since 2000, to raise awareness about heart diseases and stroke, its impact on shortening of life span, disease burden and premature deaths.
English daily Hans India organized a half-marathon to mark the day.
More than 5,000 people participated the half marathon.
The run was flagged off by Health Minister Eatala Rajender who said that the rising number of heart attacks is owing to unhealthy lifestyle and junk food.
The top three winners in both the men and women categories were given awards.
Runners of all ages - children to senior citizens - participated in the run.
The Save the Young Heart Foundation with association with its partners organized a 5 km run at Gachibowli stadium in which more than 2,500 people took part.
Labour Minister Malla Reddy, well-known film producer Dil Raju, MP G.
Ranjith Reddy and MLA Arekapudi Gandhi participated in the run.
A 'Save The Young Heart' app was also launched on the occasion, where, by filling up the self-assessment questionnaire the user can get updates on his risk of developing heart disease.
Founder of the campaign and senior cardiac surgeon Anand Agarwal said heart disease is increasing among the younger generation due to their poor lifestyle, and if this trend continues the future looks even more dangerous.
"Ten years back, we at Malla Reddy Narayana Multispeciality Hospitals hardly saw any young patients with heart attacks, but now, we get many cases in the 25-35 age group with heart attacks," he said.
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are responsible for majority of all communicable diseases making it the number one killer in the world.
Approximately 17.5 million people die each year due to heart diseases. This number is expected to rise to 23 million by 2030.
India is seen as the diabetes and coronary heart disease capital of the world.
According to current estimates, India will soon have the highest number of heart disease cases in the world.
According to the Indian Heart Association, 50 per cent of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 50 years of age and 25 per cent of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 40 years of age.
The opulation living in cities is three times more prone to heart attacks than people living in villages.
--IANS
ms/bc.
Source: IANS
