Bengaluru, May 29: With cardiovascular diseases continuing to be one of the leading causes of mortality, and an increasing number of heart attacks being reported among younger adults, Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur organized a heart health awareness initiative that witnessed participation from nearly 150 people. The programme focused on educating the community about preventive cardiac care, healthy lifestyle modifications, and the importance of recognizing the early warning signs of a heart attack.
The event was graced by Ms. Kavitha Kariyappa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic Planning), Bengaluru City Traffic Police, as the Chief Guest. The programme featured interactive sessions by Dr. Prasad M Bhat, Additional Director, Cardiology and Dr. Satish L, Additional Director- Cardiology, along with participation from members of Karnataka Kirutere Kalaavidara Koota, a prominent association of Kannada television artists. The initiative sought to create greater awareness around heart disease prevention and encourage individuals to proactively monitor and manage their cardiovascular health.
The event was attended by representatives of Karnataka Kirutere Kalaavidara Koota including Mr. Anirudh Vishnuvardhan (Prominent Indian Actor), Mr. Manju Kumar (Trustee), Mr. Ganesh Rao Kesarkar (Founding President), Mr. N.T. Ramaswamy (Working President), Ms. Shobha Raj (Vice President), Mr. D.C. Veerendra (Belichukki Secretary), Mr. Ashok R.A (Cultural Secretary), Mr. Shankar Narayan (Organising Secretary), Mr. Tennis Krishna, Mr. Narasimha Raju and Mr. Venkatachala, who joined hands with Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur to amplify awareness around preventive heart care and healthy living.
Recent years have witnessed a concerning increase in cardiac events among younger adults, driven by factors such as sedentary lifestyles, work-related stress, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, inadequate sleep and underlying conditions including diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Experts at the event highlighted that many of these risk factors are preventable through timely intervention and lifestyle modification. The session also focused on helping participants identify the warning signs of a heart attack and understand the critical importance of seeking immediate medical care.
Speaking about the importance of preventive heart care, Dr. Prasad M Bhat, Additional Director – Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, said, “Heart disease is no longer confined to older age groups. We are increasingly seeing younger individuals presenting with cardiac conditions that could have been prevented through early screening and lifestyle modification. Regular health check-ups, maintaining physical activity, controlling blood pressure and diabetes, avoiding tobacco and managing stress can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Awareness is the first step towards prevention.”
Dr. Satish L, Additional Director – Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, said, “In the event of a heart attack, every minute is crucial. Symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, breathlessness, excessive sweating, unexplained fatigue and pain radiating to the arm, neck or jaw should never be ignored. Delayed treatment can result in irreversible damage to the heart muscle. Prompt medical attention can significantly improve outcomes and save lives.”
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Kavitha Kariyappa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic Planning), Bengaluru City Traffic Police, said, “The increasing incidence of heart-related ailments among younger individuals is a matter of concern. Awareness, preventive health check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices are essential in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Initiatives such as these play an important role in educating the public and encouraging timely action towards better health.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ganesh Rao Kesarkar, Founding President, Karnataka Kirutere Kalaavidara Koota, said, “Through our association with Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, we hope to encourage people, especially younger individuals, to take their health seriously, adopt healthier lifestyles and never ignore warning signs that could save their lives."
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Lokesh Taridalu Shivakumar, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, said, “At Fortis Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, we are committed to promoting preventive healthcare through meaningful community engagement. By bringing together our clinical experts and respected members of Karnataka Kirutere Kalaavidara Koota, we aim to make important health information more accessible and relatable. Through initiatives such as these, we hope to encourage individuals and families to prioritize heart health and adopt healthier lifestyles.”
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants engaged with the cardiologists on various aspects of heart health, including preventive screening, healthy lifestyle practices, emergency response during cardiac events and advances in cardiac care.