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 Venkateswara Hospitals adopts schools
Venkateswara Hospitals, a multi-specialty hospital at Nandanam in Chennai, has decided to adopt 10 schools in the city for thorough screening of the heart with regard to prevention of
heart diseases and to impart health education.
This was disclosed by Dr Su Thillai Vallal, Cardiologist.
Dr Thillai Vallal writes:
"India has the largest number of heart patients in the world today, Dr Thillai pointed out. It has been estimated to bc about 5 crore. The chance of an Indian getting a heart attack is 4 times higher than an
Arnerican, 6 times higher than an
European. 7 times higher than a
Chinese, 20 times highcr than a
Japanese or a South African black. Most of the patients cannot afford the rncdical care. As rhe cost involved in the treatment is very high, it has great impact on health economics and loss of precious man-hours and hence affecting the country's economy. By' adopting a healthy life style, the expenditure of the country towards hcalth care will come down and we get healthier citizens.
"Our parents lived a simpler life, had simple food, had a lot of walking to do and 1ived without much tension and did not have big ambitions in life. We have inherited the same gene and that gene in our generation is facing the opposite environment compared to what our parents experienced. Unhealthy
1ifestyle is the leading cause for heart disease and is increasingly common among children and teenagers. Poor eating habits indulging in junk foods, less
vegetable intake, less water and more of soft drinks increases the risks. In addition, the consumption of rice quantity has increased now leading to more weight gain, higher incidence of Cholesterol,
Diabetes, Atherosclerosis and heart disease. Physical inactivity by spending
long hours in front of the television or computers causes obesity.
Smoking, environmental pollution and stress are a few other contributing factors.
As a preventive measure simple steps like
1.Eat less rice, less oil and sweets & increase in vegetables & greens in diet
2 Drink plenty of water and avoid soft drinks like Pepsi or Coke.
3. Avoid smoking - Active or Passive.
4. Exercise regularly- increase walking by getting down 2 bus stops before the destination while going to the office or when returning home (for office-goers) or going to temple or market daily (tbr homemakers).
5. Indians have high level of stress due to various reasons. We can reduce it by simple measures like going to the temple, park, beach, meeting with friends or going to a good movie. For the highly motivated people, Yoga or meditation is beneficial.
The core messages of this year's
'World Heart Day' on 26th September, 2004, was curbing obesity and smoking with the aim of preventing future heart diseases in today's children. Adopting a healthy life style in childhood is the most cost eftective and practical way to prevent health disease in adults.
Venkateswara Hospitals provides specialised cardiac and general medical services with high level of professional competence and personalised caring touch. Advances in diagnosis, and in treatment have taken medical care beyond t:he reach of the common man.
We at Venkataeswara Hospitals are committed to bridging the gap, offering high quality rnedical care at an affordable cost. The hospital is fully equipped with the most sophisticated state of the art equipment.
In connection with the World Health Day, we at Vcnkataeswara Hospitals take great pride in organising the following events.
A Walk for the Healthy Heart was held on 26th September from
Gandhi Mandapam near Children's Park, Guindy, to the Hospital. Celebrities from various walks of life participated.
In addition, the Hospital organised a comprchensive free Cardiac Health Checkup for potential cardiac patients who have anyone of the following conditions:
Oratorical Competition: The competition will be held on the subject - 'Human Heart - the miracle machine' for students from std X to XII. on Octoher 10th, 2004.
Drawing Competition: This contest on ''A heart for Life' will be held for students from standard VIII to X, on October 10, 2004,
Prizes will be given by Madan (of Hai Madan fame), the renowned cartoonist, critic and journalist;
First prize- Rs 3,000.
Second prize: Rs 2,000.
Third prize: Rs 1,000."
RR
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