
The walkathon held at Gandhi Museum in Madurai on Saturday.
Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital organised the ‘Heart of Madurai’ World Heart Day walkathon at Gandhi Museum on Saturday.
The 3-km walk, held from 5.30 a.m. onwards, brought together citizens, families, healthcare professionals and hospital staff with a common message that caring for the heart should begin as part of everyday life.
R. Sivakumar, Head of Department and Director of Structural Interventions, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital, said: “Heart health begins long before a person reaches a hospital. It begins with awareness, healthy habits and timely medical attention. Through ‘Heart of Madurai’, we wanted to take this message into the community and encourage people to take that first step. The walkathon was just one kilometre, but the message behind it was much bigger, every step towards a healthier lifestyle matters.”
The walkathon also highlighted that heart health does not depend only on medical treatment. Individuals can take several practical steps in their daily lives to reduce cardiovascular risk and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Regular physical activity is one of the simplest ways to support heart health. Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga or other forms of activity suited to an individual’s age and health condition can help people remain active. Even incorporating more movement into everyday routines, such as taking the stairs, reducing prolonged sitting and going for regular walks, can make a difference.
Published – September 19, 2026 08:15 pm IST


