With eight million heart patients and rising, awareness still lacks in Pakistan

Karachi
An estimated 8 million Pakistanis - 2.5 million of them in Sindh - are suffering from cardiovascular diseases and, till today, we lose 600,000 of our loved ones to heart diseases every year.
These worrying statistics were presented by Prof Dr Khalida Soomro, head of the Civil Hospital's Cardiology Department, at an awareness seminar held in connection with 'World Heart Day 2015' that was marked around on the world on Tuesday.
"The numbers are rising fast and, most worryingly, the younger generation too is falling prey to these silent killers. However, there is much change we can bring about with minimal efforts towards improving our lifestyles," said Prof Khalida in her address at the seminar organised by the CHK's Cardiology Department in collaboration with the Dow University of Health Sciences.
"High blood pressure, cholesterol, tobacco dependency and other similar problems remain the prime causes for heart ailments and with greater awareness coupled with collective efforts, the currently bleak scenario can be overcome," she stressed.
Renowned cardiologist Prof Dr Nadeem Qamar also cited lack of awareness as the main cause for prevalence and increase of heart diseases. "We, at a national level, need to focus on preventive measures. One of our key needs is for dedicated research and public awareness centres that work extensively for this cause," he said.
Other speakers at the seminar, which was followed by an awareness walk, included Prof Junaid Ashraf, Dr Fariduddin, Prof Rauf Memon, Prof Raza ur Rehman, Dr Nawaz Lashari, Prof Saleem Illyas, Dr Rehan Umer, and Dr Arshad Ali Shah.
Cardiology conference today
Senior cardiologists from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and other public and private sector health facilities in Karachi will address at an international conference on Cardiology, to be held today at a local hotel in connection with 'World Heart Day 2015'.
The day is observed on every September 29 and the recent theme is “Creating Heart-Healthy Environments”.
Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar would be the chief guest at the conference while senior cardiologists, including Dr Syed Nadeem Rizvi, Executive Director NICVD Dr Nadeem Qamar, Dr Zahid Jamal, Dr Zia Yaqoob and Dr Hafeez Jafrri would address on different aspects of heart ailments.
The conference is being organised by the Triple-E in collaboration with the NICVD and the Sindh Health Department.
An organiser said the conference was aimed at spreading awareness about simple ways and measures that could prevent people from avoiding lethal heart ailments.
Later in the evening, an award distribution ceremony would be held at the Governor’s House where Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan would present awards to senior cardiologists of the country, including, Dr Malik Hameedullah, Dr Zahid Jamal, Dr Ruhi Illyas, Dr Anees Memon and Dr Zia Yaqoob, in recognition of their services.