Suriya takes heart-care to poor students

CHENNAI: Extending his support for the Apollo Hospitals’ Billion Hearts Beating campaign on heart awareness at the Loyola College here, actor Suriya urged the students to follow a healthy and responsible lifestyle.

He reminded them that heart attacks were becoming common among those aged below 30 years.

“Steer yourself clear of any sort of addiction, and live a responsible life for your physical wellness,” he said, amid thunderous applause. Suriya recounted his days in Loyola College, where he did B Com course. “I have then visited the nearby wine shops, but desisted from taking alcohol,” he recalled. He also urged the 7,000-odd students of the college to extend their support to the campaign by taking a pledge on health awareness on the website, www.billionheartsbeating.com.

Sindoori Reddy, Vice-President, Operations, Apollo Hospitals, said that heart problems among the youth in the country was a matter of concern. Research in the area had suggested that Indians were genetically more prone to heart diseases, Reddy added.

Also present at the event was Loyola College principal Rev Dr B Jeyaraj SJ.