<p>Complications and deaths due to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are on the rise in Pakistan. Across the developing world, where 80% of all CVD fatalities occur, these diseases inflict individuals at a younger age, in comparison to their counterparts in high-income countries.</p><p>To raise awareness about the matter, The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) collaborated with Critical Mass Karachi (CMK), a community of cyclists, to organize a unique event by the name of &#39;Ride for a Healthy Heart&#39; on Sunday, 11 February 2018, for the underserved adult cardiology patients.</p><p>Over 100 members of CMK took part in the event, cycling from Delawalla in Clifton to the Sports and Rehabilitation Centre at the Aga Khan University&#39;s Stadium Road Campus, to spread awareness and to support this deserving cause.</p><p>As the cyclists gathered at AKUH, Dr Saulat Fatimi, Chief of the Heart, Lungs and Vascular Service Line, said,  &quot;Given the scale of the cardiovascular disease problem, there is an urgent need to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease deaths in Pakistan&quot;.</p><p>He noted that over half of the deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise, including cycling or walking.</p><p>Dr Aneela Darbar, a member of the executive committee of the Patients&#39; Behbud Society at AKUH (PBS) and a cycling enthusiast, commented on AKUH&#39;s efforts to make quality cardiac care accessible for underserved and lower-income communities, saying that &quot;good health is not equally distributed, as socio-economic status is associated with substantial disparities in health outcomes&quot;. She said AKUH and PBS are &quot;committed to addressing the barriers to good health, including ensuring that quality cardiac treatment is available to ill <em><g class="gr_ gr_25 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="25" data-gr-id="25">mustehiq</g></em> patients.&quot;</p>