September 27, 2002	Friday	Rajab 19, 1423

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LAHORE, Sept 26: The third World Heart Day will be observed on Sept 29 with emphasis on controlling obesity.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Pakistan Cardiac Society president Prof Shehryar A. Sheikh said the number of patients suffering from heart-related diseases were increasing owing to unhealthy lifestyle.

Stressing that people must adopt a ‘heart healthy lifestyle’, he said controlling weight, regular exercise and healthy nutrition together with smoke-free living play a major role in an individual’s long-term health and everyday life.

“Over 20 per cent women in Pakistan are over-weight. Children are also becoming obese which is alarming for the younger generation. The cholesterol level of around 20 per cent population in the country is above normal,” he said.

Prof Sheikh also said poverty also played a major role in keeping people away from adopting healthy lifestyle, which later result in different ailments.

Consequently, he said, people usually had no money to get the costly treatment. He also claimed that he had also conducted a study in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology that 30 per cent heart patients registered at the institute were below the prime age.

He also said that hydrogenized ghee should be banned in the country to prevent heart diseases. He said that about 90 per cent population in the country was using hydrogenized ghee.

In order to create awareness among masses, he said the Pakistan Cardiac Society will hold a seminar at Alhamra Hall-I on Sept 29. Eight eminent speakers from all over the country will inform public about various risk factors for ischemic heart disease with special emphasis on obesity, nutrition and exercise.

Simultaneously, he said, the society will set up 20 camps to screen public’s sugar, cholesterol and hypertension level free of cost on first come first serve basis.

He said the society will also display banners all over the city with messages for the public on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, exercise and smoking.

He said over 6,000 leaflets in Urdu providing information in a question and answer format on various risk factors will also be distributed among the people.

World Heart Day convener Prof Saulat Siddique and other cardiologists were also present on the occasion.