New Delhi : Apollo Hospitals, all across the country are now covered in ‘red’, marking the emphasis towards the cause for a healthy heart; staff across 52 centres showed their solidarity and support by taking the pledge “Billion Hearts Beating.” (http://www.billionheartsbeating.com)

Following the vision of Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, the Billion Hearts Beating crusade focuses on raising heart health awareness amongst Indians. This movement marks a momentous milestone, as it aims to reverse India’s infamy of being known as the ‘Heart Disease Capital’ of the world. Last year, more than a hundred thousand individuals from all walks of life took the pledge.

Dr Prathap C Reddy realizes the need for this crusade to be more inclusive. It requires partners such as media, physicians, healthcare & educational institutions, NGO’s and companies to join hands with the Billion Heart Beating movement to create the ground swell of pledges and lives to be touched and saved, thereby, providing a powerful medium to include social management, which will bring down incidents of heart disease in India significantly.

“Apollo may be one of the early initiators of this programme but in years to come my fulfillment will come from multiple leaders owning and developing this concept to a much higher degree”, says Dr Reddy

This year on 5th February, 2011, more than 200,000 pledges including over 50 schools and colleges across the country are joining hands to make smarter choices for heart health and support the cause.

The predisposition of Indians to heart disease has long been evidenced in the scientific community. Recognizing the health risk that the population faces, Apollo Hospitals Group launched the Billion Hearts Beating crusade against heart disease in April, 2010, a national multi media crusade that sought to raise awareness levels and drive positive action towards preventing heart diseases, which can no longer be ignored.

According to Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, “The problem of heart disease in the country has reached epidemic proportions. This should never have happened, as the risks pertaining to the problem can actually be addressed. We don’t deserve to be called the ‘Heart Disease Capital of the World’. We have taken the first step, to fight the problem of heart disease. Billion Hearts Beating crusade focuses on the same objective and with everybody’s support I am sure the desired target would be easily achieved. Risk of heart disease can be significantly reduced through simple lifestyle modifications. Collectively as a nation we can do something about it.”

The objective of Billion Hearts Beating is to spread awareness and spur positive action, as the risk of heart disease can be significantly reduced. Working at multiple levels, and based on the simple premise that a small step can achieve a lot, Billion Hearts Beating will bring about a significant change, for the better in India’s over one billion hearts. The pledge you take indicates that you believe in being smart about your health. There is a need for initiatives to raise public awareness with respect to heart health. Billion Hearts Beating crusade is one such initiative and your support can make this movement a success and awaken the masses who are largely negligent of the risks of impending heart disease and its impact on productivity.

Soon, Apollo Hospitals will have healthy heart clubs which will support the society with doctors, dieticians, counsellors to help in the fight against heart disease. A nationwide crusade that has already seen pledges and participation by a few amongst the hundred thousand who have chosen to make the small but pertinent changes in their lives.

Leading personalities who have taken the pledge

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit.

Prof. Kiran Walia, Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Child Development, Delhi Government.

Chairman of Coal India Limited, Shri Partha S. Bhattacharya.

The hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi.

Founder, ‘Art of Living Movement’, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Wasim Akram, Former Pakistani Cricketer.

Surya, South Indian Actor.

Arundhati Nag, Actress.

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit having taken the pledge said “A cause as large and complex as this needs the support of all. I have taken the pledge and encourage everyone to do the same. The urgency of talking about heart disease in India has not been stressed enough and I am glad that Apollo Hospitals has initiated the movement. This is a very important partnership between the Delhi Government and Apollo Hospitals, which will soon be up on our health website. We will extend this awareness crusade to our 3000 resident welfare associations under the Bhagidari scheme and NGO’s.”

Heart disease in India has assumed alarming proportions with the average Indian being three to four times more likely to have a heart attack than his/her western counterparts. Not only our senior citizens are at risk but it is the younger 30+ generation which is the heart of our nation’s productivity and economy who are at a higher risk. According to WHO, CHD (Coronary Heart Diseases) is the leading cause of deaths in India.