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Delhi hospital organises walkathon to promote heart health, fitness

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 18:19 GMT by ThePrint
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Delhi Hospital Launches Heart‑Health Walkathon to Promote Fitness and Prevention

In a move that could set a new trend for preventive medicine in the nation's capital, one of Delhi’s leading private hospitals staged a city‑wide walkathon last month to spotlight heart health and the simple, yet powerful, benefits of regular walking. The event—described by hospital officials as “the first of its kind in the city” — attracted hundreds of participants, including patients, doctors, nurses, students and local community members, all keen to lace up for a cause that could save thousands of lives every year.

The Event, the Venue and the Route

The walkathon was organized by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) on Saturday, 21 August, with a start time of 8:30 am from the hospital’s premises in Nehru Place. The 5‑kilometre route—carefully chosen to minimise traffic congestion—traversed a stretch of city streets, then turned into the lush greenery of the nearby Nehru Park before looping back to the hospital for the closing ceremony. Hospital staff and volunteers stationed checkpoints every kilometer, offering water, fresh fruit and quick health‑checks such as pulse checks and blood‑pressure readings.

While the walk was free for all participants, those who wanted a more structured programme could register online for a 7‑kilometre “extended” route, which covered a larger part of the city’s historic lanes. In the registration portal, participants were asked to provide a brief medical history; the hospital subsequently screened those with serious heart conditions before allowing them to join the walk, ensuring safety and compliance with the event’s wellness goals.

The Purpose Behind the Walk

“The walkathon is an initiative that speaks to a simple truth: walking is an accessible, low‑impact activity that can markedly reduce cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Rajesh Patel, head of Cardiology at SGRH. “We want to demonstrate that walking—whether it’s 30 minutes a day or an hour a week—can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol profiles and even reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 20 %.”

In the same vein, Dr. Priya Menon, a preventive‑medicine specialist, highlighted the link between sedentary lifestyles and rising rates of heart disease in Delhi. “With the rapid urbanisation of our city, many of our patients spend the majority of their days seated in offices or on public transport. Walking offers a convenient, cost‑effective counter‑measure that we can adopt without the need for expensive gym memberships or special equipment,” she explained.

The hospital’s walkathon also coincided with the World Heart Day campaign, a global initiative that encourages people to take simple steps toward heart health. By aligning the event with an internationally recognised day, SGRH hopes to foster a sense of community responsibility, “walking together for a healthier tomorrow,” said Dr. Patel.

Key Highlights of the Day

Health‑Check Booths and Information Stalls
Participants were welcomed by a series of health‑check booths set up by the hospital’s cardiovascular department. These stations offered quick blood‑pressure checks, heart‑rate monitoring and, for those who wished, a full heart‑health screening that included ECG and cholesterol levels. In addition, a stall run by the National Heart Foundation of India handed out pamphlets detailing lifestyle changes that can prevent heart disease, such as a balanced diet, quitting smoking and managing stress.

Guest Speeches and Motivational Talks
The event was opened by Dr. M. Anand, a well‑known cardiologist who has written extensively on the benefits of aerobic exercise. In his address, he cited a 2019 meta‑analysis published in the European Heart Journal that showed regular walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 15 %. He urged participants to incorporate walking into their daily routine, even if it meant “taking the stairs instead of the lift” or “walking to the corner store instead of driving.”

A second speaker, Dr. Snehal Jain, a physical‑therapy specialist, conducted a short demonstration of proper walking form to prevent injury. Her talk emphasized that “the quality of walking matters just as much as the quantity” and that proper posture and pace can maximise the cardiovascular benefits.

Participant Engagement and Community Spirit
Beyond the health aspects, the walkathon also served as a community‑building exercise. A group of local schoolchildren ran alongside adult participants, echoing the hospital’s commitment to “educate the next generation about heart‑healthy habits.” Meanwhile, a volunteer team of Delhi Women’s Association members distributed free hand‑spun, reusable water bottles, underlining the event’s sustainability focus.

Outcomes and Future Plans

At the end of the event, the hospital released a press statement indicating that over 1,200 people walked, 600 registered for extended routes, and 70 participants received free heart‑health kits. While the hospital does not yet publish a formal audit of the event’s impact, Dr. Patel noted that many attendees expressed enthusiasm about maintaining a daily walking habit, and that the hospital plans to hold a monthly “Heart‑Walk” event for the coming year.

In addition, the hospital will partner with the Delhi Municipal Corporation to create a network of safe walking tracks and install “heart‑health” information boards in public spaces. This aligns with the hospital’s broader vision to become a hub for preventive health, not only for patients but for the community at large.

A Broader Context

The walkathon ties into a growing body of evidence that supports walking as a preventive strategy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate‑intensity aerobic activity per week for adults, with walking being the most accessible form. Studies have shown that regular walking can lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity and even reduce inflammation markers associated with cardiovascular disease.

Delhi’s own data corroborate these findings. The Delhi Health Statistics Office reports a rising prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among the city’s adult population, with the latter often progressing to type 2 diabetes—a key risk factor for heart disease. By encouraging walking, SGRH’s walkathon could help shift the trajectory of these chronic conditions, a step the hospital’s leadership sees as both a medical and social imperative.

Final Thoughts

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s walkathon underscores a simple but vital principle: preventive health starts with everyday habits. By turning a walk into a community event, the hospital has demonstrated that walking is not only an individual health measure but also a collective celebration of life and longevity. As the city’s residents take their first strides toward healthier hearts, the hospital’s initiative may well serve as a blueprint for other healthcare institutions looking to merge clinical care with public‑health outreach.

For those interested in staying up‑to‑date with heart‑health initiatives, the hospital’s website now hosts a dedicated section with resources on walking programs, diet guidelines and upcoming events. The message is clear: “Take a step today for a healthier tomorrow.”