BAPS Charities UK held a Cardiovascular Health Screening Session at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Sunday 21 November 2010. The session aimed to assess cardiovascular risk factors among the elderly, forming a part of the ongoing BAPS Welfare of the Elderly Programme and the special National Sewa Day initiative.

The event was organised by BAPS volunteers – doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses and healthcare students – in conjunction with the Department of Lipidology at The Royal Free Hospital.

The screening was open to anyone who did not have a known diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. All attendees had their height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol assessed, with additional lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise also being addressed. These results were then used to counsel attendees about their lifestyle and to alert them and their GP about any abnormal results. Each assessment lasted about 45 minutes.

Dr Mayank Shah, senior BAPS Charities volunteer, commented: “It’s so important to pick up these tell-tale signs early. It really can make the difference between a wholesome life and a premature tragedy.” He further added, “The response from all those who have attended over the last year has been very positive indeed, which is just so encouraging for all us volunteers to keep on making that crucial difference.”

A total of 35 people were screened in this latest session with participants all sharing that they found the event very informative and helpful.

Other recent events have included a seminar to prevent falls in the elderly and health awareness and screening sessions as part of National Cholesterol Week.

Visit the BAPS Charities site here for more news and information about BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha’s welfare activities.

To learn more about National Sewa Day, please click here.

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