As part of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha’s continuing health awareness campaign, a series of events have been held over the past month to promote awareness on cardiovascular disease and identification of its risk factors at an early stage.

On the afternoon of Saturday 21 June 2008, BAPS in conjunction with The Royal Free Hospital and Heart UK conducted a screening session for risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is a huge killer amongst the South Asian community.  The detailed screening was very useful and all those who were identified as being at a high risk will be invited for a follow-up session with a specialist nurse to advise on healthy lifestyle and appropriate preventive measures. Further screening sessions are planned throughout the year.

The same evening, BAPS hosted the British Heart Foundation’s chest pain awareness campaign entitled “Doubt Kills”.  This campaign is aimed at raising awareness in the general public on chest pain and the importance of calling an ambulance in this situation.  After an introduction to the campaign by Dr. Mike Knapton, Director of Prevention and Care at the British Heart Foundation, a presentation on chest pain was delivered by Dr. Deven Patel, Consultant Cardiologist at Barnet and Royal Free Hospitals.  Dr. Patel discussed the causes of chest pain and factors which increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

Continuing with the health awareness campaign, BAPS with the British Heart Foundation held an Emergency Life Support Training Programme on Saturday 28 June 2008 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden.  The aim of this programme was to teach individuals basic life support skills which would be essential should an emergency arise.  During the course of the afternoon, 105 people attended the ELS training programme and further sessions are planned.

Future planned activities include:

• Blood disorders presentation focusing on Thalassaemia, Haemophilia, blood and bone marrow donation.
• Ladies Health Awareness Day
  
• A Health Fair at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden