Love Your Heart, Let it Beat - Celebrating World Heart Day 2018

The Heart, Lung and Vascular Service Line at the Aga Khan University Hospital celebrated World Heart Day 2018 with a series of events held throughout the month, culminating in a grand closing event, held throughout the day on September 30, 2018 at the Sports and Rehabilitation Centre of the Aga Khan University Hospital. 

The day started with over 250 cyclists riding  from Clifton to the Main Hospital campus on Stadium Road, to create awareness about heart disease. For this, The Aga Khan University Hospital had the generous support of Critical Mass Karachi, a community of cycling enthusiasts. Their cause was focussed on creating awareness on preventive measures for heart disease, like exercise and healthy lifestyle to help avoid problems later in life. 

Later, in early afternoon, a Free Heart Health Camp was organized where over 300 patients were provided consultations for adults and children's heart-related issues. The camp offered free health assessments, discounted ECG and ECHO, and free mini consultations from the experienced faculty of the University Hospital.

Following the camp, the acclaimed Yogi Wajahat conducted a yoga session for the attendees, where he highlighted how mental relaxation is important. He taught some simple exercises and spoke about practices that can help in stress-free, happy-heart living.

The session was followed by a talk where Dr. Saulat Fatimi, Service Line Chief, Heart Lung and Vascular Service Line and Dr. Salman Kimani, Chair, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, shared insights beneficial for good heart health in adults and children. Dr. Saulat highlighted the risks and prevalence of heart diseases in Pakistan. Further, adding about heart diseases in children, Dr. Salman said, “As parents, we are responsible for changing our relationship with our children so that they listen to us and then with a healthy lifestyle, we can ensure that they grow up healthy and never need any heart surgery or become diabetic.”

Hans Kedzierski, CEO, AKUH shared a simple, yet powereful message, “Live healthy, Live more, Exercise more!”.

Among the various activities held throughout the month, a poster competition had been held for school children and the event concluded with some much-awaited announcements and prize distribution.  Hundreds of posters had been shared and a few of the best ones had been exhibited at the event. Ms. Amber Segal of Herald Publication, graciously distributed prizes among the winners. She remarked, “It is a pleasure to be a part of this event today and see so many children coming here with their parents.” 

Following the prize distribution, hi-tea was served, and children and their parents and all the guests were invited to view the exhibit.