Event

WCCPGC-2008

Gurgaon
19-21 September, 2008

The three-day World Congress on Clinical, Preventive and Geriatric Cardiology, 2008 was recently held at the Brahma Kumaries Om Shanti Retreat Center (ORC), Manesar, Gurgaon. The conference, which was attended by over 1,500 delegates from different parts of the world, was inaugurated by former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The objective of this conference was to focus on Prevention to Intervention and Intervention to Prevention, Consensus-2008, create guidelines for Preventive strategies and create Heart Attack Eradication Programme.

Emphasising on the importance of preventive cardiology as the only method to curb the rising menace of premature heart problem in India, Dr Kalam urged everyone to continue their efforts in prevention of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) by optimisation of lifestyle, Rajyoga Meditation, Sattvic diet, abstinence from tobacco, excessive alcohol and negative stress. He added that self discipline right from the childhood may help in creating healthy heart for everyone.

Dr HK Chopra, Organising Chairman of the Conference, shared his data of high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (obesity syndrome) in his oration. "Sixty five per cent of Indian population in hospital-based data are victims of metabolic syndrome, early screening by carotid intimal media thickness and echocardiac evaluation for mayo cordial performance index, left ventricular concentric remolding and left arterial volume index.

Dr Navin C Nanda, International President of the Congress, of USA and Dr SK Parasahr, Chairman, Scientific Committee emphasised on the need of Clinico Echo co-relations as the most important screening tool for detection of pre-mature CVD and timely intervention to reduce the morbidity and mortality in our country.

Dr Chopra, Dr Nanda, Dr Parashar, Dr Rahul Mehra from USA, Dr Cherian Verghese (WHO) and Dr D Prabhakaran while addressing a session on preventive cardiology said that the proceedings of the conference will be published as guidelines for prevention of CAD. They also assured that they will soon embark on a preventive module for healthy heart for Indians. They launched a Global Advocacy Group for prevention of CVD in India.

They said that environmental support, prevention of electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones, indiscriminate use of television and internet besides appropriate sanitation and use of fertilisers and total ban on transfats etc will help in promoting healthy heart.

There were six orations, 21 keynote addresses, 47 guest lectures, three sessions of controversies to consensus, one echo workshop and one case presentation session besides early morning sessions of Rajyoga Meditation and spiritual ambience of the conference which made this congress- a conference with difference.

Dr W Selvamurthy, a senior official of the DRDO, was conferred with the WCCPGC-2008 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of preventive cardiology by President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil. Dr Selvamurthy has passionately pursued systematic and scientific study of Yogic practices and has established their prophylactic and curative value. In his acceptance speech, Dr Selvamurthy stressed upon the importance of maintaining a healthy life style in not only preventing cardiac disorders but also in healing process.

While addressing the delegation of WCCPGC-2008, Patil said that the practice of yoga, spirituality and discipline will definitely help in reducing the CVD morbidity and mortality in our country. She emphasised on the need and early implementation of CVD preventive and healthy heart promotional programmes. She said that as CVD is striking young, it is therefore necessary to embark on healthy heart promotion programme in India.

EH News Bureau