More than 2,000 people including 300 speakers are attending the 16^th National Congress of Cardiology in Da Nang.

More than 2,000 people including 300 speakers are attending the 16th National Congress of Cardiology in the central city on 6 and 7 October. (Photo: baodautu.vn)

The Chairman of the Viet Nam National Heart Association (VNHA), Dr Nguyen Lan Hieu said at a press conference the congress would hear reports on the latest therapies of heart diseases, cardiology treatment of pregnant women, hypertension control and prevention, comprehensive approach to cardiology for the elderly as well as nursing programme for cardiology patients.

Hieu said the event would also include sessions for young doctors to meet with foreign experts and doctors along with training sessions for local medical staff.

“We offer prizes for the best reports of the young cardiologists at the congress with an aim of encouraging continued research in heart treatment and care. It’s also a chance for experts to share knowledge and updated information on the heart disease treatment at hospitals nationwide,” Hieu said.

“Local doctors and medical staffs will join training courses with senior experts and top surgeons to study on new treatments and techniques,” he said.

VNHA’s general secretary, Pham Manh Hung said Viet Nam had seen an alarming increase in cases of hypertension and heart disease with an average of 200,000 dying of cardiology-related disease each year.
Hung said Viet Nam had achieved rapid progress in cardiology surgery, and the country would host the ASEAN Cardiology Congress in 2022.

According to VNHA, about 25% of the Vietnamese population aged 25 and over suffered from hypertension and heart disease.

Hung said the increase is due to over-consumption of fatty food and alcohol, while the country lacks basic understanding of cardiovascular health and hypertension in communities.

The two-day event also includes free heart and hypertension check-ups for 400 poor people in Da Nang and a mass walkathon for a healthy cardiology community.

In Da Nang, around 450 people out of 1,000 participating in a survey proved to have high blood pressure, while 52% of people were found to have hypertension when they came for a health check at local health centres.

Da Nang has been developing a 200-bed cardiology centre with investment of 11.23 million US$ for cardiology and heart disease treatment for the central and central highlands region.

(Source: VNS)