To create awareness about heart diseases, Dr. J.K.P. Medical Centre and the Coimbatore Cosmopolitan Club jointly organised a rally ‘Walk for The Heart' at Race Course here.
Amaresh Pujari IPS, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore, flagged off the rally. MLA R. Doraisamy took part in the event.
The rally was held as part of the week-long campaign to commemorate World Heart Day (September 29) organised by WHO on last Sunday of September every year.
According to Dr.J.K. Periasamy, Senior Cardiologist, the last 30 years had seen enormous increase in the occurrence of heart diseases.
Contrary to the popular belief, heart diseases are now common even among young and poor people.
It was painful to see people who were the only source of income for their families, fall prey to heart diseases in their productive years.
Around 60 percent of the patients could not afford treatment, he said.
Quoting WHO reports, he said that by 2020 the number of Indians dying due to heart diseases would exceed 2.4 million, surpassing western countries.
The aim of the rally was to encourage people to care for their hearts and bring in change in lifestyle by giving up harmful habits, Dr. Periasamy said.
Around 500 people including members of Cosmopolitan, Rotary and Lions clubs, police personnel, paramedical staff and students from schools and colleges participated.
Cardiologists from different hospitals in the city conducted free health check-up for the people.
