Karnataka - Bangalore   

Health check-up camp from tomorrow

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 3. Like most Indians, Bangaloreans are susceptible to heart disease at a relatively younger age, and many may not even know they have a problem. "If detected early enough, a heart attack, with all its debilitating effects, can even be prevented,'' according to B.S. Chakrapani of Yellamma Dasappa Hospital in Shantinagar.

"Incidence of heart disease in the population in the country was 1.4 per cent in 1960, and it increased to 15 per cent by 2000," he told presspersons here on Tuesday. It might increase to an alarming 30 to 35 per cent by 2020, he said. For those in the risk group for heart disease, and for many who want to make sure their hearts are in good condition, the month-long health check-up camp, to be conducted at the hospital from Thursday, holds out hope. For those who cannot afford to pay, all tests will be offered free, according to the hospital's medical director, D. Ramachandrappa.

It is not going to be a cursory examination of one among hundreds of people lined up, said Stanley John, a consultant to the hospital, who was with the Christian Medical Mission Hospital, Vellore, for 30 years as cardiac surgeon. "An initial ECG (electrocardiogram) alone may not reveal abnormalities in the functioning of the heart, and follow-up tests will be necessary. Because this is a month-long camp, each patient will be examined thoroughly with ample time for further tests,'' he explained.

The camp will, in fact, be a multi-disciplinary one with tests for detecting diabetes, eye defects and dental problems. There will be adequate time for each patient to have detailed consultations with the doctors and get counselled on diet, exercise and rehabilitation after any treatment. They can also learn about preventive measures.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Has BESCOM shot itself in the foot?
• Residents remove no-parking signboards
• Health check-up camp from tomorrow
• `Govt. will defend law on admissions'
• Around the City
• In Bangalore Today

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu