World Heart Day Seminar at AKU

The Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at AKU arranged a public awareness seminar and a health mela on Sunday September 17^th, 2006 to mark the World Heart Day. At this occasion, experts highlighted issues related to heart diseases and stressed upon the need to increase awareness.

Dr Sajid Dhakam, Associate Professor and Section Head of Cardiology highlighted the importance of the day and gave an overview of the simple preventive measures required to prevent heart diseases. Public awareness to avoid factors leading to heart disease and recognising the early signs remains the key to successful health care delivery. He also highlighted the role of Aga Khan University in arranging seminars related to a wide range of health related issues in Pakistan and internationally.

From left to right: Dr. Sajid Dhakam, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Cardiology, AKU Dr. Amir Hameed, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, AKU Dr. Salma Bardaruddin, Professor, Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, AKU Dr. Javaid A. Khan, Professor and Head, Department of Pulmonology, AKU Dr. Shahid Sami, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, AKU Sohail Akhtar, Physiotherapist for Patient Cardiac Rehabilitation, AKU

"Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for heart attack and stroke and at least 30 other serious diseases including lung cancer," Professor Javaid Khan, Consultant Chest Physician, Aga Khan University Hospital said this at a health awareness seminar arranged by AKU to mark the on Sunday. He was quoting a research carried out in 52 countries and published recently in the leading Medical Journal. He pointed out that the use of tobacco in all its forms, including the use in paan and gutka, is extremely dangerous for heart and lungs. Inhalation of second hand smoke also needs to be discouraged, he said. Professor Khan further said that tobacco smoking causes one-fifth of cardiovascular diseases worldwide and if the current trends continue, 10 million people will die from tobacco-related diseases by 2030, out of which 70 % of deaths will occur in developing countries.

Dr Aamir Hameed, Assistant Professor and Consultant Cardiologist, said that environmental factors, genetic make-up and habits form a milieu which makes people prone to heart attacks. Risk of heart attacks can be reduced with confidence by remaining active through exercise, maintaining an appropriate weight, taking a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish and low in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, and finally by abstaining from harmful acquired habits like smoking, he advised.

Muhammad Sohail Akhter, Coordinator, Advanced Rehabilitation Services, said that aerobic activity is the best exercise for the heart. He informed the audience that physical inactivity is considered a primary risk factor for coronary artery diseases and contributes significantly to the ageing of the heart, as it can lead to overweight and obesity, diabetes and hypertension. He recommended brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, gardening, etc - any activity that uses the heart, lungs and muscles over a period of time to maintain a healthy heart.

Professor Salma Halai Badruddin, Department of Community Health Sciences, discussed the importance of diet and exercise from an early age for prevention of heart diseases. "More than 58 per cent of 700 school children studied, had high cholesterol levels," she revealed, adding that most of these children had very sedentary lifestyles. A festival was arranged alongside the seminar to increase awareness in public by offering free tests and advice about healthy lifestyle.

World Heart Day is observed internationally every year to create public awareness regarding heart diseases. This year World Heart Day is being celebrated on Sunday September 24th on the theme "How Young is your Heart."

As a part of its social responsibility and commitment to the advancement of health research and education, AKU regularly holds seminars, symposiums and events to raise awareness about health and education related issues which are of national importance and interest.