World Heart Day: Ranipet Collector Leads CMC Awareness Drive

RANIPET, Tamil Nadu — The Chennai Medical College (CMC) on Sunday organized a series of events to mark World Heart Day, with District Collector N. Priya Ravichandran attending as the chief guest. The program, held in Ranipet, aimed to raise public awareness about cardiovascular diseases and promote heart-healthy lifestyles.

World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29, is a global initiative led by the World Heart Federation to inform people that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.9 million lives each year. CMC's events included awareness rallies, free health check-ups, and educational sessions on diet, exercise, and stress management. Collector Ravichandran emphasized the importance of preventive care and urged residents to adopt healthier habits. "Heart disease is largely preventable through simple lifestyle changes," she said, according to officials.

The initiative reflects a growing push in Tamil Nadu to tackle non-communicable diseases through community engagement. Similar events were held across India, with health experts calling for stronger public health policies to reduce the burden of heart disease. CMC plans to continue its outreach with follow-up screenings in rural areas of Ranipet district.