Chennai walkathon raises awareness on vascular diseases

Chennai woke up to a sea of colourful jerseys on Sunday morning as hundreds of residents gathered for a walkathon aimed at raising awareness about vascular diseases. The event, organised by city-based health groups, saw participants of all ages walk through some of the city's busiest thoroughfares, turning a routine Sunday into a public health campaign.

A silent threat

Vascular diseases, which affect the arteries, veins, and capillaries, often go unnoticed until they turn critical. Conditions like peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, and aneurysms are among the leading causes of morbidity in India, yet public awareness remains low.

Doctors who participated in the walk stressed that many vascular problems are preventable with timely intervention. "Most people know about heart attacks and strokes, but they don't realise that blockages in leg arteries or swelling in veins can be just as dangerous," said a senior vascular surgeon who joined the walk.

Walking for health

The walkathon, which started early in the morning, wound through several neighbourhoods before concluding at a public park. Participants carried placards with messages like "Check your pulse, save your limb" and "Walk daily, stay healthy." Volunteers distributed pamphlets in Tamil and English, detailing warning signs such as leg pain while walking, non-healing ulcers, and sudden swelling in limbs.

Several corporate houses and educational institutions fielded teams, turning the event into a community gathering. Schoolchildren, senior citizens, and even a few families with toddlers joined the route, underscoring the message that vascular health is a lifelong concern.

Prevention over cure

Organisers said the primary goal was to shift the focus from treatment to prevention. "We want people to understand that a 30-minute walk every day can significantly reduce the risk of vascular disease," said one of the organisers. The event also offered free blood pressure and blood sugar checks at the starting point, with health workers on hand to counsel participants.

Vascular diseases are closely linked to diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. With India witnessing a sharp rise in these risk factors, experts argue that awareness drives like this are essential. "We see patients in their 30s and 40s with advanced vascular damage, and most of them had no idea they were at risk," the surgeon added.

Community response

The response from the public was encouraging, with many participants saying they had never given much thought to vascular health until now. "I came here with my father, who has diabetes. The free check-up revealed his blood pressure is high. Now I know we need to be more careful," said a young professional who attended the event.

Local residents appreciated the initiative, noting that such events make healthcare information accessible to ordinary people. "It's not every day that you get to walk with doctors and ask them questions informally," said a retired schoolteacher who joined the walk.

The walkathon concluded with a short session where doctors answered questions from the crowd, covering topics from diet to exercise and when to seek medical help. Organisers said they plan to hold similar events in other parts of the city in the coming months.

As Chennai's roads return to their regular Sunday rhythm, the hope is that the message from the walkathon lingers. For now, health experts are calling on more people to incorporate simple habits — regular walks, balanced diets, and periodic health check-ups — into their daily lives.