Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) prevalence in India has risen four-fold in the past four decades. Indians are succumbing to heart disease and stroke in the most productive years of their lives; about a decade earlier than their western counterparts.

Rapid acquisition of adverse lifestyles like smoking, physical inactivity, improper diet, stress etc, especially among the corporate population has contributed to this rising prevalence of chronic disease factors and their ensuing outcomes such as obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. This in turn has resulted in urban Indians experiencing cardiac problems at an early age.

Keeping this in mind, Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal in association with Rotary club, Sahakarnagar organised a walkathon, recently. The walkathon commenced at 7.30 am from the hospital and was attended by not less than 180 people including residents of nearby apartments like Godrej, Century and Purva, few schools and colleges students as well as Rotary club members, hospital staff and doctors.

The walkathon was followed by an awareness program on cardiac health at the hospital campus.

“Walking is a good aerobic exercise that improves blood circulation and allows body to use oxygen better. To maximize the benefits one can maintain a fast pace to increase the basal metabolic rate. Give up the elevator for stairs; park your car half a kilometre far from your destination, and while at work take short breaks and go out for 10 to 15 minutes of walk,” said Dr. Ananth N. Rao, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal.

Talking on the benefits of walking in ensuring good cardiac health highlighted, “We often ignore the benefits of walking daily. Brisk walking has enormous benefits to overall health of a person and to the cardiac health in particular. Some of the benefits include lowering blood pressure, improving insulin sensitivity, burning extra calories, improving good cholesterol or HDL levels, agile muscles and joints,” said Dr. Prabhakar Shetty, Cardiologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal.

“We are happy to associate with a multi-speciality hospital like Columbia Asia for this walkathon to raise awareness on cardiac health. It is extremely important for all of us to be aware of the early symptoms of cardiac complications and take preventive measures early to avoid or postpone the onset of cardiac diseases,” said Mrs. Shwetha Anand, President, Rotary Club, Sahakarnagar.

The walkathon was followed by a diabetes screening for all the participants.

Read on to know some of the better walking techniques mentioned by Dr. Prabhakar:

• Walk on flat surface
• Use comfortable clothes and footwear
• Begin with small steps
• Maintain right posture
• Focus on breathing

So get off your chair and start walking. After all health is wealth and you are just a short walk away from it.