To encourage people to prioritise their heart health, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, organised a walkathon to mark the occasion of World Heart Day as part of its 'Guardians of the Heart' initiative. The 02-kilometre walkathon commenced with the flagging-off ceremony by Dr. Bhupendra Singh and Dr. Abhishek Singh, Consultant Cardiologists, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad.The walk started at 8 a.m., commencing and culminating at Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad. Over 400 residents of Ghaziabad, along with doctors from Manipal Hospital, actively participated in the walkathon. Dr. Bhavtosh Shankhdar, Chief Medical Officer (Ghaziabad) graced the event as chief guest, emphasising the importance of heart health.
Following the walkathon, participants also engaged in a CPR training session, pledging to learn this life-saving skill to help people in emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.Flagging off the walkathon, Dr. Bhupendra Singh, Consultant Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, said, "Walking is an excellent means to enhance cardiovascular health. It promotes blood circulation, strengthens the heart, and mitigates heart disease risk factors. We also encourage people to have CPR training to handle any medical emergencies. Through this initiative, our aim is to reduce the burden of heart-related fatalities."
Addressing the participants, Dr. Bhavtosh Shankhdar, Chief Medical Officer, Ghaziabad, said, “It is important to prioritise heart health and adapt lifestyle changes such as regular morning walks, a balanced nutrition diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. This will help to improve overall well-being and a healthier heart. This walkathon is a great initiative by Manipal Hospital to inspire people and motivate them towards a healthy life and a healthy heart.”According to data from the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become a leading cause of global mortality, increasing by 60% from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021. Raising awareness about CVDs is imperative, necessitating collaboration between governmental and private healthcare entities.