World Heart Day marked in the province

Seminars, rallies, awareness walks and lectures held to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.

BAHAWALPUR/ SARGODHA: High blood pressure, high glucose and cholesterol levels in blood, obesity, excessive consumption of fast food and lack of fruits and vegetables in diet and smoking were the main causes of cardiovascular diseases in the country, Bahawalpur Health EDO Shahid Khaleeq said at a symposium held by the Health Department to mark World Heart Day on Tuesday.

The Health Department and several NGOs held seminars, rallies and awareness walks in major cities of the province in connection with the World Heart Day.

Dr Khaleeq said that heart disease was among the main causes of death in the country.  He stressed the need to raise awareness about the deadly disease.

In Sargodha, District Teaching Hospital Cardiologist Consultant Surgeon Dr Zia-ur-Rehman addressed the participants of a seminar.   He said the World Heart Day was observed around the globe to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke. “They are a leading cause of death throughout the world. What most people do not realise is that it can be prevented by taking timely precautionary measures.”

Rehman said the risk ratio was 80 per cent higher among diabetics and the ratio for smokers was 4 per cent. He said the ratio for patients of high blood pressure was 3 per cent higher.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.