Agro Tech Foods Limited in association with the Apollo Hospitals Group has announced a series of initiatives to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This coincides with the World Heart Day being celebrated on September 28 in over 90 countries around the world.
Cardiovascular diseases are an increasing health concern, with 17 million deaths worldwide annually (one in three of all deaths). The incidence of CVD deaths in India is 30% and continues to rise.
Explaining the Indian Cardiac situation, Ratan Jalan, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd said, “Today, one in every 20 Indians is at risk of heart disease and over 10% of all urban Indians suffer from Coronary Artery Disease. If diagnosed early, most heart diseases are largely preventable. On this World Heart Day, we want to sensitise people about the need to be aware of one's risk to cardiac diseases and take prompt action. This initiative, that we're launching with Sundrop Heart on the occasion of World Heart Day, is just the first among several such initiatives that are in the pipeline - all of them aimed at sending out the message that preventive measures are simple and timely detection of any disease can reduce the incidence of death and disability”
Sundrop Heart has tied up with India’s leading hospitals i.e. Apollo Hospitals and Hinduja Hospital (for Mumbai) to provide heart check ups at special rates across 14 cities in India from September 26 to October 5, 2003. These Centres will undertake special heart check ups at a subsidized fee of Rs 350 as against the normal charge of app. Rs. 1000. Besides checking the heart condition, the dieticians and doctors will also provide diet counseling and consultation. This concession is not linked to purchase of any product.
In addition, to reach a larger cross section of people, comprehensive websites www.sundropheart.rediff.com and http://sundropheart.indiatimes.com were also launched. These websites provide information on heart care in an interactive manner. One can take an online test of their heart condition and also understand what changes in lifestyle are required to lead a healthier life. To spread the message that a healthy heart is the first primary requisite for a vibrant life, email messages will be sent to 14 million users across the country.
Sangita Reddy, Director – Operations, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "We, at the Apollo Hospitals Group, have always stressed on the importance of preventive healthcare in leading healthier, happier lives. Only if one detects a problem in time, can corrective action be possible. It gives us great pleasure to announce our association with Agro Tech Foods Ltd., the makers of Sundrop Heart Oil.”
Commenting on the awareness programme, Utpal Sen Gupta, President, Agro Tech Foods Ltd said, “Our endeavour at Agro Tech Foods is to launch functional foods that are 100% natural and provide health and nutrition without compromising on taste. This initiative is in line with Sundrop Heart’s objective to enable consumers to lead a healthier life by reducing bad cholesterol and tryglycerides. We are delighted to be associated with leaders like the Apollo Hospital group who share our commitment to helping people lead a better life.”