The walkathon which began at the Gopalan Arcade Mall on Mysuru road was taken on the main streets of RR Nagar before it culminated at the SSNMC Super Speciality hospital. During the course of walkathon, the localites and by standers were educated on the harmful effects of the tobacco and the doctors suggested ways and measures to stay away from the deadly tobacco.
Speaking on the occasion, SSNMC Superspeciality hospital’s manager (operations) Dr Kiran said, "Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Despite the known harms of tobacco to heart health, and the availability of solutions to reduce related death and disease, knowledge among large sections of the public that tobacco is one of the leading causes of CVD is low. Hence, we are trying to create awareness among the masses."
He said the cardiovascular diseases (CVD) kill more people than any other cause of death worldwide, and tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure contribute to approximately 17% of all heart disease deaths. Tobacco use is the second leading cause of CVD, after high blood pressure. The global tobacco epidemic kills more than 7 million people each year, of which close to 9,00,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. Nearly 80% of the more than 1 billion smokers worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest. Hence, there was a need to highlight the links between the use of tobacco products and heart and other cardiovascular diseases.
"We are planning to create awareness within the broader public of the impact tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke have on cardiovascular health," he added.