Islamabad: Making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack, said the Executive Director Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) Gen Dr Azhar Mahmood Kiyani while briefing journalists about ways to prevent heart attack.
In an interaction organised at the National Press Club, Dr Azhar Mahmood Kiyani gave useful tips to have healthy heart to the journalists. He clarified many myths around the heart diseases and also shared the most affordable prescription (ranging from Rs550 to Rs1100) for the heart patient which he has submitted to the Supreme Court. He praised Supreme Court for taking interest in this important issue. He also thanked Punjab Government for extending all possible cooperation to run the institute effectively. “All depends on political will and facilitation from bureaucracy.”
He said that on the directives of Supreme Court, the locally made international standard stents will be available for general public by June this year. “The control in prices of stents will bring the cost of the whole process of putting stents to only Rs100,000,” he said. He shared common symptoms of a heart attack and suggested the participants to have regular checkups to monitor the functioning of their heart.
Dr Kiyani said that standard of medical facilities for cardio related health issues in Pakistan is at par with the best medical facility in any developed country. “RIC is equipped with state of the art technology with latest devices and experienced doctors. We are providing the facility of angioplasty for 24 hours. Our team of doctors is one of the best in the world,” he said.
Talking about the ways to prevent heart diseases, he urged the participants to eat a healthy, balanced diet, avoid smoking, exercise and stay away from unnecessary stress. About home remedies, he said that garlic, ginger and green tea is good for heart. He also advised to be alarmed when the waist size increases 36 inches for men and 32 inches for women.
Earlier, Dr Kiyani received a warm welcome by the journalist community for providing free medical treatment to the deserving journalist families. He was received by President National Press Club Tariq Chaudhry and General Secretary Shakeel Anjum. Every journalist presented him with a flower as he entered the conference hall. The participants also gave him a standing applause for his services to the country.