World Heart Day was observed at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, with a Walkathon at the hospital premises, raising awareness about heart health and the importance of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The event was flagged off by Dr. Priya Nair, Clinical Associate Professor from the Department of Gastroenterology. 

In addition to the Walkathon, the event featured insightful messages on heart health by Dr. Rajesh Thachathodiyl, Professor & Head of Cardiology and Dr. Saritha Sekhar, Clinical Associate Professor. The central theme of this year’s Heart Day was "Use Heart for Action," highlighting the urgency of raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases and taking early preventive measures. 

Over 150 participants, including doctors from the Centre of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences, staff, and students, took part in the activities. As part of the World Heart Day celebrations, the hospital offered, free retina scans using cutting-edge AI technology to predict the risk of heart attacks and free heart check-ups for 100 individuals. 

The retina scan service is part of the hospital’s innovative approach to detecting coronary artery diseases early. By developing an Artificial Intelligence-based algorithm, Amrita Hospital is using retinal images to detect those at risk of cardiovascular conditions. This technology leverages the ability of trained ophthalmologists to view vessels and nerves in the retina, enabling healthcare professionals to identify heart risks accurately and efficiently. This method promises to increase early diagnosis, improve community health, and pave the way for timely treatments.