NEW DELHI: To mark World Heart Day, the 'Billion Hearts Beating Foundation' - a campaigner against the risks of heart disease and a partner of the Apollo Group of Hospitals - today announced its partnership with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bangalore.

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy and the Director General NCC lit the ceremonial lamp to begin a new chapter in the war against heart ailments, seeking to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden in the country. Such partnerships will help spread awareness in the country, in turn helping lessen the chances of heart diseases. The campaign aims at informing people about the basic actions they can introduce into their daily lives to lead a healthy heart existence. To enhance and sustain good heart health in the country, the cadets across five metros - New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata - took the pledge to mark World Heart Day.

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals, said, "The number of people with CVDs is growing, and its impact is disproportionately felt by those in the developing world, where people die younger. CVD risk can be lowered by spreading awareness that helps people make healthier choices. There is dire need to make people aware of the cardiovascular risks that they face today. With this partnership, we seek to highlight the major factors contributing to heart disease and help families, corporates, communities and individuals to inspire and encourage the Indian youth to maintain their heart health through physical fitness and healthy eating habits as well as by curbing harmful lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking."

This collaboration aims to train the NCC cadets across India with the requisite first-aid skills, including basic life support, and to certify the NCC trainers. Apollo Hospitals medical team will be interacting with various NCC academies to begin the training sessions. The partnership will be a long-term one, whereby over the coming years, Apollo Hospitals and Billion Hearts Beating Foundation will train thousands of young cadets to stand united against the heart disease pandemic.

Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Director, Special Initiatives, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "Heart disease is one of the non-communicable ailments where the incidence has seen a steady rise in India over the past few decades, almost making it an epidemic. Statistics show that coronary heart disease accounts for as much as one-fifth of all deaths in India and, by 2020, it will account for one-third of deaths. But simple lifestyle changes and awareness can easily prevent its occurrence. Heart attacks have become prevalent in people as young as 35 years. The most affected are corporate professionals who lead a highly stressful, sedentary lifestyle. The Billion Hearts Beating campaign provides a platform to address the issue of cardiac health."

Billion Hearts Beating launched in April 2010 is an ongoing movement to promote heart health across India by creating awareness about heart disease, its causes, symptoms, preventive measures, care and treatment. Subsequently it was established as an independent, not-for-profit foundation to help India become heart-healthy. The campaign has already reached millions of people across the country, with more than 350,000 people have already taken a pledge on www.billionheartsbeating.com to lead a heart healthy life. The campaign also aims to provide customized solutions for cardiovascular problems in specific segments - children, the youth, senior citizens, working professionals, members of the armed forces and women.

About Apollo Hospitals:

In 1983, Dr Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become one of Asia's largest integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 50 hospitals, more than 1350 pharmacies and over 100 diagnostic clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing and hospital management colleges. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India and recognition from the Joint Commission International (seven of our hospitals are JCI accredited). In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, in 2010. Apollo Hospitals Group, for over 28 years, has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology.  Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.

For more information visit: www.apollohospitals.com.

Primary Media Contact: Ms. Parul Chhabra, parul_c@apollohospitals.com, 91-09810855410

Secondary Media Contact: Ms. Kusum Sahijpal, kusum_s@apollohospitals.com, 91-09999973090