KARACHI: Critical Mass Karachi (CMK), a community of cyclists, on Sunday joined local doctors and philanthropists in the effort to not only promote benefits associated with cycling but also support a special fund for underserved adult cardiology patients in the country.
The formal launching ceremony of the drive ‘Ride for a Healthy Heart’ marked its beginning with over 100 members of CMK cycling from Delawalla in Clifton to the Sports and Rehabilitation Centre at the Aga Khan University’s Stadium Road Campus.
On the occasion, Dr Saulat Fatimi, a cyclist and acclaimed cardiac surgeon, said that there is an urgent need to reduce the risk of death due to coronary heart disease in Pakistan.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is often misunderstood as a condition only affecting rich countries, is the leading cause of deaths in Pakistan, said the seasoned professional.
Dr Fatimi who also heads the Heart, Lungs and Vascular service line at AKUH, said that CVD, often referred to as a lifestyle disease, is a general term for all diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke.
It is said to be associated to the growing problems of obesity, unhealthy eating habits, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high levels of tobacco usage in the country.
“Across the developing world, where 80% of all CVD fatalities occur, CVD inflicts individuals at a younger age in comparison to their counterparts in high-income countries,” said Dr Fatimi.
Given the scale of the CVD problem, he noted that over half of the deaths caused by CVD can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise, including cycling or walking.
Appreciating that AKUH has partnered with CMK for a much-warranted cause, he regretted that the poorest are often the most vulnerable.
Mentioning that treatment of cardiovascular disease can be expensive, Dr Fatimi reminded that poor communities also suffer the indirect costs of CVD such as premature mortality, morbidity and severe compromise in terms of earning potential.
“The only way to cope with the imminent tidal wave of heart failure is to pay greater attention towards preventive efforts and provide a financial safety-net for those who cannot afford treatment,” he said.
Dr Aneela Darbar, a member of the executive committee of the Patients’ Behbud Society at AKUH (PBS) and a cycling enthusiast, talked of AKUH’s efforts to make quality cardiac care accessible for underserved and lower-income communities.
“Good health is not equally distributed, as socio-economic status is associated with substantial disparities in health outcomes,” she said.
