As part of its efforts to promote heart health and encourage healthier lifestyles, Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital, in association with Meenakshi Hospital Thanjavur organised ‘Heart of Delta’, a 5-km walkathon to mark World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29.
Dr. Anjugam Boopathy, Mayor-in-Charge, Thanjavur and Abinavya, Kayal Serial Actress flagged off the walkathon in the presence of Dr. B. Kesavamoorthy, Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of Cardiology, Dr. Sabari Krishanan, Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Srinivasan, Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. V. Praveen, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Mr. Sivakumar Shanmugam, GM – Operations, Mr. Manivasagam, PRO, Meenakshi Hospital Thanjavur.
More than 1000 participants, including doctors, healthcare professionals, hospital staff, patients, students, families and members of the public, took part in the event. The walkathon began and concluded at Kamala Subramaniam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Near New Bus Stand Thanjavur covering a distance of five kilometres.
Participants of ‘Heart of Delta’ were provided with free exclusive t-shirts and commemorative medals and certificates as a token of participation. The event also featured health awareness talks and interactive sessions with consultants from Meenakshi Hospital Thanajvur on heart health, cardiovascular risk factors, primary prevention and the importance of regular health check-ups. The sessions provided participants with an opportunity to interact directly with specialists and clarify their queries related to heart health.
In his comments, B. Kesavamoorthy, Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of Cardiology said, “Heart of Delta Walkathon 2026 was aimed at creating greater awareness about cardiovascular health, the importance of regular physical activity and the need for timely health checks. The theme of World Heart Day 2026, ‘Heart disease can hide in plain sight: don’t miss a beat’, also highlights the importance of recognising potential warning signs and taking timely action. The event provided an opportunity to remind people that heart health requires consistent attention and preventive action. Simple measures such as staying physically active, following a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and keeping conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol under control can go a long way in reducing cardiovascular risk.”
He added, “Cardiovascular disease continues to be a major public health concern in India, with hypertension emerging as one of the most important modifiable risk factors. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 220 million people in India are living with hypertension, highlighting the scale of the challenge. Regular screening can help identify cardiovascular risks early and facilitate timely intervention. Heart health should not become a priority only when symptoms appear; prevention and early detection need to be an integral part of our everyday lives.”
‘Heart of Delta’ is part of Meenakshi Hospital’s broader commitment to promoting preventive healthcare and encouraging the community to take proactive steps towards better health. The hospital offers comprehensive cardiac health check-ups for people across age groups, with particular attention to individuals with cardiovascular risk factors or a family history of heart disease. Through its cardiac care services, the hospital aims to support early identification of risk factors and provide appropriate medical guidance and intervention to help people maintain better heart health.