Mysore/Mysuru: As part of National Vascular Day, the Mysuru Unit of Vascular Society of India (VSI) had organised a walkathon in the city yesterday.

The Walkathon with the theme ‘Walk a mile to live with a smile,’ commenced from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the Palace North gate and passed through K.R. Circle and D. Devaraj Urs Road to reach J.K. Grounds. The objective was to create greater public awareness on the rise in vascular diseases in the society.

Dr. K.S. Sadananda, Medical Superintendent of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Mysuru, who spoke after launching the rally, said there was an increase in incidence of peripheral vascular diseases in the society. Attributing it to faulty lifestyle and diet, Dr. Sadananda said people had adopted a faulty lifestyle, resulting in health complications. Exercise and diet are the two pillars of good health, he added.

JSS Medical College Principal Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa said the walkathon was organised as part of a nationwide event being conducted by VSI. Expressing concern that more and more people were contracting vascular diseases and many of them ended up with amputation of limbs, he pointed out that the onset of diseases was preventable through lifestyle changes.

Senior Vascular Surgeons Dr. Shivananda, Dr. Ganesh Gowda and others were present.