In a bid to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of heart-related issues, Park Grecian Hospital, Mohali, organized a 5-km ‘Run For Heart Health’ to mark World Heart Day. The event, held on Sunday, saw enthusiastic participation from doctors, health enthusiasts, and citizens from the Tricity area.
Dr. Harinder Singh Bedi, Director of Cardiac Sciences at Park Grecian Hospital, addressed the participants, emphasizing the significance of heart disease prevention. “This run aims to encourage people to be proactive about their heart health,” he said. He gave a brief talk on the importance of managing stress, controlling blood pressure, maintaining an ideal weight, following a sensible diet, and incorporating regular yoga into daily routines. “For a healthy heart, prevention is key, and it begins with being ‘Heart Smart.'”
The run was in line with the global theme of this year’s World Heart Day—’Use Heart for Action’—which advocates for taking meaningful steps to protect cardiovascular health and encouraging individuals to take their heart health seriously.
Dr. Bedi further highlighted the alarming rise of heart diseases among younger Indians, citing, “It’s deeply concerning that every minute, four people die of heart attacks in India. More troubling is that 25% of these deaths occur in people under the age of 40, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Media and social platforms have also been highlighting recent heart attacks in younger personalities, which underscores the urgency of heart health awareness.”
The event was flagged off by Mr. Ashok Bedwal, CEO of Park Grecian Hospital, along with the Chief Guests Dr. Rita Sharad Singh, DIG ITBP; Dr. Surinder Kaur, Director of Health Services (DSH), Punjab; Dr. Harinder Singh Bedi; and Dr. Neeraj Bhargava, Lab Director & Medical Superintendent, Park Grecian Hospital.
Ashok Bedwal shared details of the hospital’s commitment to organizing health-related activities, particularly around heart health, on World Heart Day.
Reflecting on the significance of running for cardiovascular health, Dr. Neeraj Bhargava, the Run Director and an experienced marathon runner, said, “Running is one of the best ways to improve heart health. It enhances cardiovascular fitness, strengthens the heart muscle, improves the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently, and helps lower blood pressure. Even a small daily run can make a huge difference.”
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Bedi said, “This year’s global theme, ‘Action for Heart Health,’ marks a critical shift from mere awareness to empowerment. We must advocate for behavioral change and greater physical activity while pushing for policies that prioritize heart health.”
