The event attracted over 500 participants, including doctors, students, and local citizens, all rallying for the cause of better health.   

Rela hospital in Chennai conducts awareness walks for lung and heart health. The hospital has organized a 5-km walkathon to create awareness about lung and heart diseases. Over 500 participants, including doctors, students, and local residents, joined the event, which was held to mark the occasion of World Lung Day on September 25 and World Heart Day on September 29.

Rela hospital organized the event, which saw an enthusiastic turnout, to create awareness about the occurrence of lung and heart diseases.

The healthcare provider in a statement on Friday informed that the walkathon was flagged off by Pavan Kumar Reddy IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, along with several eminent doctors from Rela Hospital, including Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan, Director and Senior Consultant, Institute of Cardiac Sciences.

In addition to the walkathon, Rela Hospital has also arranged for a free heart and lung health camp on September 29 for those suffering from heart and lung ailments and seeks to provide diagnostic screening and consultations to promote early detection and prevention.

An ECG, ECHO, and cardiology consultation will be available for those presenting with palpitations, chest discomfort, dizziness, breathlessness, or other interrelated complains, while those with chronic cough, smoker's habit, wheeze, breathlessness, or any other pulmonary discomfort will benefit from a pulmonary function test, x-ray, and lung specialist consultation.

"Awareness and Prevention Go Hand-in-Hand"

"We at Rela Hospital strongly believe in events like these that spread awareness about preventable diseases like heart and lung ailments are critical since they are among the leading causes of death worldwide.

As a hospital, we strive not only to treat but also prevent diseases by creating awareness about them through such events. The need for advocacy for a healthy environment and lifestyle is increasing, which can only lead to a decrease in the incidence of such diseases," said Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy. He further noted that the hospital has continued to invest in talent and technology to improve patient care.

"We also believe in reaching out to more people, beyond our hospital premises, by collaborating with other hospitals and NGOs," he added.

A Global Health Challenge

Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan remarked on the growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). "CVDs are becoming more prevalent for a variety of reasons, including unhealthy lifestyles and rising rates of hypertension and diabetes. Heart disease accounts for 17.9 million deaths globally, with over 25% of all deaths in India, affecting a high number of young people," he said.

Moreover, Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan noted that developments in modern medicine, such as early diagnosis, minimally invasive surgeries, therapies, and cardiac interventions like stent and robotic surgeries, have resulted in excellent results for patients.

"By adopting healthy eating habits and exercising regularly, we can reduce the risks and burden of CVD to a large extent," he added.

The Vital Importance of Lung Health

Lungs are vital organs that supply oxygen to all parts of the body and that lung illnesses are a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity. "Lungs are the lifeline of the human body. Any ailment or infection in the lungs affects all organs and tissues in the body. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma are some of the most common diseases affecting the lungs.

It is reported that over 500 million people worldwide suffer from lung ailments. It is a huge concern in India as it results in 1.7 million deaths from lung disease.

Lung diseases are on the rise in India due to a combination of environmental and occupational hazards, as well as lifestyle choices, primarily smoking. Modern medicine has made tremendous strides in the treatment field for lung ailments, with new diagnostic techniques and breakthrough therapies like biologics.