World Heart Day Celebrations 2013 at Continental Hospitals, Hyderabad

The September last Sunday i.e. this year on 29th September is being celebrated as World Heart Day all across the Globe.

The Heart Centre at Continental Institute of Cardio Vascular Sciences, IT & Financial District under the leadership of it's Chief cardiologist - Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar along with his other colleagues - Dr. M. Gokul Reddy, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Dr. Madhu & Dr. Samir Diwale & Dr. Saikrishna - celebrated - “WORLD HEART DAY 2013".

This year's theme was Prevention of heart disease right from Childhood days in the school and Heart disease prevention in Women. As a message to keep oneself fit & active - Healthy Heart Walk - "HEART-A-Thon" was conducted from IIIT junction to Continental Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The HEART-A-THON was inaugurated by his Highness Andrew McAllister, the British High Commissioner at Hyderabad along with Dr. Gurunath Reddy, CMD, Continental Hospitals at & 7.30am on 29th September 2013. All the Hospital Doctors, Medical & Non Medical Staff along with many members from the neighbouring IT Cos., Gopichand Academy, ISB, IIIT & HCU Staff and students took part in the Walk. The public and children staying in the adjoining areas along with many other school children also enthusiastically participated in the HEART-A-THON.

Speaking on the occasion Andrew McAllister said walking is delightful, a principal way of getting exercise and leading a healthy life. Dr. Gurunath Reddy said Continental Hospital is not here to provide treatment alone, but to educate and help prevent occurrence of the disease. Today the causes of heart disease are stress and pollution. The food we consume should be low on fat and rich in complex carbohydrates. We need to go back to our roots and readopt the lifestyle of the past, to lead a healthy life. Addressing the immediate problem does help but long term lifestyle modifications are necessary to provide complete relief. Continental doesn’t stop with treatment but does follow up with patients to ensure remedy for the cause of the disease by educating on making necessary changes.

The HEART-A-THON has culminated with the demonstration of Heart Healthy breakfast which was served at Continental Hospitals to all the members who actively participated in the walk. Later on a Public forum discussion in which Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar and other colleagues interacted and explained the theme of this year World Heart Day to all. There was active interaction both from adults, senior citizens as well as many children. In the end all pledged not only to talk & preach but to actively follow the diet & activity schedules presented during the interaction.

Later on the Celebrations culminated with a Press Meet in which all the members of Heart Team of Continental along with it's CMD - Dr. Gurunath Reddy, Dr. Anuradha Reddy - VP, CHL & I/C Corp. Communications along with Veteran Super Star & Cine Actor Sri Ghattamaneni Krishna addressed & gave messages to be followed by one and all for promotion of good Health & Prevention of Cardio Vascular Diseases.

On the eve of World Heart Day celebrations – Dr. Guru. N. Reddy, CMD-CHL, announced the free preventive cardiac check ups for the family members of the suffering patients. Dr. Sreenivas Kumar said Continental was the only Hospital in the city which was offering MV PTCA + Stent Packages at the cost of twostents in other hospitals. This he said was possible through help of mobilization of resources from various Foundations. This would help the needy patients who due to disease in two or more vessel were being sent for CABG due to financial constraints. He said this would especially benefit the relatively young suffering patients with MV disease who will be selected after proper evaluation &counseling of the "HAERT TEAM" which involves not only the Cardiologits but also Cardiac surgeons. This high end procedures will be performed by the senior doctors at CHL under the expert facilities like latest generation Cath lab equipped with Stent Viz and IVUS guidance for optimal PCI results and outcomes. The Heart Team offers 24/7 Acute Heart Attack and other emergency services at the state of f art facilities built at CHL. The Heart Team at CHL not only takes care during hospitalization but also offers - "SMART Rx" treatment follow up system to patients which ensures the patient education regarding the diet, physical activity, reminds the patients about the drugs and follow up visits. The doctors at CHL are always available in direct online & through phone app interaction to clear any doubts or clarify any problems post procedure to the patients on follow up. This system they said was again another new initiative from the THE Heart Centre at Continental for the benefit of needy patients not only during hospitalization but on life long follow up for the patients. This Smart Rx service was launched & dedicated to the needy patients on this World Heart day by Sri Krishna.