More than 6,000 Bengalureans gathered in Electronic City this morning for the sixth edition of Kauvery BEATS, the annual heart-health initiative of Kauvery Hospitals, Bengaluru, held ahead of World Heart Day on September 29. Participants ran, walked and cycled a 5 km route at their own pace.

In the morning's standout moment, the crowd came together to form a large human-heart shape, turning the gathering into what organisers called a visual expression of collective responsibility for heart health. The event was flagged off in the presence of cardiologist Dr B. Dinesh and Deputy Commissioner of Police Narayana M.

The initiative supports surgery for 50 underprivileged children with heart conditions, according to reports. Speaking at the event, Dr Dinesh said prevention could not wait for symptoms: "People should also know their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol."

With heart disease a leading cause of death in India, the 6,000-strong turnout suggests awareness campaigns like this are finding their feet — one step, pedal and heartbeat at a time.