TEHRAN – The 25th International Congress on Cardiovascular Updates (ICCU) is scheduled to be held in Tehran from September 23 to 26.

The Iranian Society of Atherosclerosis will host the event. It will bring together numerous local and foreign professors from different countries, such as Australia, the U.S., England, Oman, Turkey, France, Germany, and who will participate in the event in person or online, IRIB reported.

The event will encompass 343 topics, 80 panels, and 290 scientific presentations.

The main goal of the congress is to update the scientific knowledge of Cardiologists and other specialists in the cardiovascular-related fields, and showcase the latest achievements as well as technologies in drugs and medical equipment.

Referring to the latest statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO), Masoud Qasemi, the head of the Congress, said over the past 35 years, the cases of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Iran has increased by 180 percent; however, the current prevalence and incidence rate of the diseases has decreased by 30 percent and death rates from cardiovascular diseases have fallen by 40 percent. Moreover, disability-adjusted life years have dropped by 45 percent.

The average age for the first heart attack is 32 in Iran, which is 10 years less than the global average, Qasemi added.

The official went on to enumerate the therapeutic advances in cardiovascular disease in the country, such as augmented vector left (aVL) technology, or diamond-plated drill for treating vascular occlusion.

Part of the Congress will also focus on emerging therapies for the treatment of CVDs, he added.

Cardiovascular diseases

CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, with 17.9 million deaths a year. An estimated 19.8 million people died from CVDs in 2022, representing approximately 32 percent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85percent were due to heart attack and stroke.

They are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions.

Over three-quarters of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.

Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural and environmental risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet (including excess salt, sugar, and fats), obesity, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution.

It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management with counselling and medicines can begin.

CVDs, mainly heart attacks, account for 40 percent of annual deaths in the country. Car accidents, diabetes, and cancers are the next important risk factors among non-communicable diseases,” ISNA quoted Kourosh Etemad, a health ministry official, as saying.

In addition to high blood pressure, low physical activity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and drinking alcohol are four risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Those aged 30 and older are advised to go to health centers to be checked for probable high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

A three-month, six-month, and one-year care plan will be arranged for those who visit health centers based on their age, family history, and weight. This program helps to detect the disease earlier or control the risk factors in people.

Unfortunately, in Iran, as in many other countries of the world, half of the people are unaware of their high blood pressure disease. Only 50 percent of those who are aware of their high blood pressure take medicine.

This means that in addition to informing people about their disease, they should be given the necessary recommendations regarding its control and treatment.

MT/MG