Cardiac Society to address heart issues in conference

The Maltese Cardiac Society will be organizing an ‘Educational Seminar for the patient and the public’ as part of the Maltese Cardiac Society Conference 2016.

This conference will be addressed by 12 international high-profile cardiologists. It will be officially opened by the immediate past President of the European Society of Cardiology, Prof Fausto Pinto, as well as the Minister of Health Hon Mr Chris Fearne.

The aim of the Educational Seminar is to increase awareness on coronary artery disease. Heart attacks and stroke remain the number one cause of death in Malta. Although the management of coronary artery disease is of the highest international standards, Malta lacks in prevention.

The event is going to be held on Sunday, 23 October 2016 in the Main Foyer of Mater Dei Hospital between 9 am and noon. It is open to all and is free of charge. It is supported by the international pharmaceutical company Novartis.

At the Main Foyer, the Malta Medical Student Association (MMSA) will be assessing risk of heart attack by checking weight and body mass index with an ideal weight calculation, waist circumference, blood sugar, total cholesterol and blood pressure. The Health Promotion Unit will be on site with a stand explaining the importance of weight control, diet, exercise, smoking cessation, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol control. They will also be promoting their various educational programmes. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of the Department of Cardiology will be giving advice about primary and secondary prevention and informing the public about their programmes.

The Catheterization Suite at yellow zone, level -1, where coronary angiograms, stents, pacemakers and valve implantations (TAVIs) are performed, as well as the Cardiac Lab at outpatients, level 1, where exercise stress tests, echocardiograms, holters and blood pressure monitors are carried out, will be open to the public. Professional health carers will be on site explaining the various procedures as well as demonstrating the equipment and devices.

Finally, public lectures will be delivered at the ground floor lecture rooms 1 and 2, opposite the chapel entrance, starting at 11am. Dr Alex Borg, Consultant Cardiologist, will be talking about the importance of coronary artery disease. Dr Paula Vassallo, Director Health Promotion Unit, will be explaining what measures can be taken to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Dr Robert G. Xuereb, President of the Maltese Cardiac Society and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology of Mater Dei Hospital, will address the audience on the latest state-of-the-art heart care at Mater Dei Hospital.