The inaugural World Heart Day was celebrated at the National India Hub in Schaumburg, Illinois, on September 28, 2024, focusing on community engagement around heart health. The event was inaugurated by Consul General Somnath Ghosh, who praised the Hub’s efforts and its founder, Mr. Harish Kolasani, for their commitment to community service. Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, a leading expert in resuscitation, was recognized for his contributions to both Indian and U.S. healthcare.
The event featured workshops, CPR training, and EKG screenings, with a focus on cardiovascular disease prevention, particularly among the South Asian community. Distinguished speakers, including Drs. Samir Shah, Meher Medvaram, Radhika Chimata, and others, discussed key topics like cardiac disease among South Asians, women’s heart health, and heart-healthy diets. The celebration also emphasized lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management through yoga and meditation to combat heart disease.
The program received support from several prominent organizations, including the Chicago Medical Society, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), and the Indian American Medical Association of Illinois (IAMA IL). Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI, extended the organization’s full support to the National India Hub’s healthcare initiatives, reflecting the collaboration between Indo-U.S. healthcare efforts to address cardiovascular health challenges.
The theme of World Heart Day 2024, “Use Heart for Action,” was aligned with encouraging individuals to take proactive measures for their heart health and advocating for broader community and governmental support to combat cardiovascular diseases. Given the disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease among Indians, the event stressed early detection, prevention, and timely intervention as crucial strategies to reduce heart disease and improve quality of life.
Source: theunn.com