With people in India dying in lakhs due to heart related disease, the need to sensitize the common populace towards keeping their heart hale and happy is high for those who care unconditionally for their patients.
Keeping in mind such an objective, G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital held a public awareness program on Coronary Heart Disease in connection with World Heart Day Celebrations. The event was held on 25.9.2019. The hospital joined hands with Rotary Clubs of Coimbatore Metropolis and Aakruthi in organisiing this program.
Public and patients number 150 approximately participated. The 6 Doctors from the hospital’s Department of Cardiology and a nutritionist addressed the public about heart health, risks and gave suggestions.
Dr. Vaidyanathan, Chairman – Interventional Cardiology dept said that almost all treatments to heart are palliative and stressed that ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Elucidating the Theme of this year’s World Heart Day, he asked the participants to make a promise to their family members that they will keep their heart healthy. He suggested everyone to make use of staircase than depend entirely on lift. He also suggested every organization to allot a place to do a refreshing physical exercise.
Dr. S. Natarajan, Professor & Senior Interventional Cardiologist conveyed that in the past people died due to viral and other infections like plague, cholera and small pox, but at present the rise in mortality is mainly due to diabetes, cholesterol, obesity and heart related diseases that have sedentary life-style as its base.
Stressing that tobacco taken in any form could trigger heart disease, he conveyed that 30% of World Population use tobacco, and made it a request that governments should stop tobacco business that’s blowing away life like candle. He conveyed that nicotine in tobacco destroys/poisons blood vessels and causes disease. It was alarming to know that 15% of youth who suffer cardiac disease have been a victim and a practitioner of Tobacco.
Appealing to the youth, he requested that if they cross their 20s and 30s without falling prey to tobacco or to any drug/alcohol, they have great chances to lead a healthy life.
Dr. B. Ramprakash, Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist in his address to the public, suggested them to take lots of fibers and follow a high fiber diet, as it helps in digestion and also in avoiding constipation. He said eating vegetables and fruits help in maintaining low cholesterol and hypertension. He said the potassium in fruits lowers BP. He advised them all to eat greens (keerai) and chew vegetables like carrot and not juice it. He also wished that they see that they jog for 15 minutes or walk for 40 mins daily.
He stated that once people turn 40 it is good to check their heart’s health. He suggested that they check BP from a doctor in a clinic or hospital and not in any other places. He warned that 50% people who suffer heart attack have extreme chances of death and the remaining half survive because of coming to hospital before the end of the Golden Hour.
Dr. Priya Kubendiran , Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, GKNM Hospital addressed on how women suffer from heart disease. She said Earlier, for women , heart diseases usually occur post their menstrual cycle. “It was rare to see women with hear issues in the past but due to lifestyle changes women too become affected”. She pointed out that women don’t consult doctors for their heart issues as they are always busy building their family from the scratch. She said women wont feel much pain when they have heart attack ; they may feel difficult to breathe.
She advised that checking at once when a woman feels stress in heart region, she must visit hospital. She asked the men in the family to watch over the architect of their house; “Women are the backbone of families, it is time that you take care of them”.
Dr. P. Chandrasekar ,Chairman, Cardiothoracic Surgery & Director Cardiac Transplant Services and Dr. K. A. Sambasivam, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist also addressed the public and answered their questions.