TEHRAN -- Infracts that show up on electrocardiography tests but have no clinical symptoms - account for some 40 percent of heart failures among Iranian senior citizens, announced the Secretary General of Iran's 13th Congress on Internal Medicine Dr. Iraj Khosronia here Monday.

Dr. Khosronia said silent infracts will either lead to the death of the victim or leave him handicapped while there is almost no detectable symptoms to diagnose the failure.

He further described the silent infracts as an important issue that requires the attention of state health officials and something which the people must be aware of.

"Most heart attacks will go undetected before they show up, and providing the public with general emergency medical instructions will surely prevent the losses inflicted by these attacks," said Iran's Physician of the Year in 1380 of the Iranian calendar.

Dr. Khosronia said taking regular electrocardiogrpahy tests and check-ups as a most convenient way to detect silent infracts, is vital for senior citizens.

Iran's 13th International Congress of Internal Medicine, slated for April 29 - May 3 in Tehran, will address the latest developments in the clinical practice of internal medicine in such areas as Endocrine Disorders, Neurology, Nephrology, Respiratory Disorders, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Diseases, Rheumatology, Hematology and Ocnology, and Gastroenterology.

Suplement