World Heart Day observed

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 30. Various programmes marked the observance of World Heart Day on this year's theme of "A heart for life" in the city on Sunday.

The senior Congress leader, Mr. K. Karunakaran, inaugurated the programmes on preventive cardiology organised by the Department of Cardiology, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

Dr. K. V. Krishnadas, former physician, Dr. Rezy Cheru, Joint DME, Dr. Kesavan Kutty Nayar, Medical College Principal, Dr. Mathew Thomas, MCH Superintendent, Dr. Ram Narayan, Head of Cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. C. G. Bahuleyan, Head of Cardiology, and Dr. K. Suresh, Professor of cardiology, also spoke.

The Cardiology Department was open to the public till 12.30 p.m. A stream of visitors whetted their curiosity of treadmill tests, angiograms and blood pressure.

A team of doctors explained the why and how of Echocardiography, angioplasty and the management protocol followed when a patient reports with chest pain. The relevance of the Cathlab and the Cath ICU and their mode of functioning was also explained. Later, a series of lectures were organised on topics ranging from the importance of stopping smoking and dietary control to weight reduction programmes.

There was also a video exhibition of an angioplasty performed on a case of severe right coronary lesion.

This is the second successive year that the World Heart Federation is organising World Heart Day all over the world. The theme for the previous year was "Physical Exercise" in which as many as 77 countries, including India, took active part.

The National Programme for Cardiovascular Disease Control, Pilot Project, Kerala also observed World Heart Day with various programmes.

The event was co-sponsored by the Government of India, the World Health Organisation and the Kadinamkulam grama panchayat.

Over 200 persons, besides students, took part in the programme on preventive cardiology. Prizes were distributed to winners of the essay competition on "Lifestyle and heart attacks" for high schoolers of the Kazhakoottam panchayat.

Over 100 persons participated in a free executive heart check-up and consultation.

Mr. M. A. Wahid, MLA, inaugurated the programme.

Mr. K. P. Retnakumar, panchayat president, Dr. K. Sunitha, Associate Professor of Cardiology, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and State Nodal Officer for the pilot project, Dr. K. Sivaprasad, district nodal officer, Mrs. Molly Merlin, district panchayat member, Fr. Stephen Jose Methacherry and Dr. Najeeb were among those who spoke on the occasion.

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