Over 250 attend heart health awareness event

More than 250 people took part in an awareness event on heart health held at Al Suqaya Restaurant in the Diplomatic Area. The event, held as part of ‘Hridaya Sparsam’ campaign, was also attended by many medical experts, who highlighted the causes behind deaths caused by cardiac arrest.

The number of deaths caused by cardiac arrest has been on the increase in the Kingdom. Eminent doctors including Dr Babu Ramachandran and Dr. Sonny Jacob spoke at the event. A demonstration on performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other first aid techniques was the major highlight of the event.

Speaking to Tribune, Dr. Sony said: “Heart attack occurs as a result of blockage of arteries supplying the heart muscle, where major risk factors are hypertension (persistent high blood pressure), smoking, diabetes, family history, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), obesity and constant stress.

“Individuals also need to watch out for common symptoms that include; retrosternal discomfort on and off or continuous with or without radiation to the jaw, both upper limbs, back or to upper abdomen. This may or may not be associated with sweating, fatigue or palpitation along persistent heartburn or continuous belching not getting relieved with any medication may be a symptom.