What the delegates say - What is the best preventative measure you can take? 

Adam Rdzanek,
Cardiologist, Warsaw, PL

We know from the Interheart study that smoking is the most important risk factor in cardiovascular disease. The ban on smoking in public places was introduced in Poland two or three years ago and will help. It’s not customary now to have a cigarette whenever you like, and people feel like outcasts when they have to go elsewhere to smoke. But lots of young people in Poland smoke because it makes them feel more grown up. Smoking needs a change of image.

Regular exercise is the key. If we could get everyone to walk for half an hour a day, it would make a huge difference. But it’s getting harder and harder with modern lifestyles: long working hours, electronics and automation - everyone uses cars. One thing which might help is that fuel is getting more expensive, and in Melbourne, the government is making more cycle paths and organising family rides and events. Against that, the average person is working more hours than 30 years ago. I don’t see it happening.

George Proimos
Interventional Cardiologist
Melbourne, Australia

Vinod Shah
Interventional Cardiologist
Bombay, India

People who are more than 40 years old should have an annual check up for any coronary risk factors. We need to treat lipid levels, diabetes, high blood pressure and so on. In Asia, genes are important; we find atherosclerotic disease at least 10 years ahead of other countries, which is related to do gene polymorphism. We need to emphasise prevention rather than treatment because once atheroscleroma starts a cascade of events, it is difficult to arrest by any modality. 

People need to trust their doctors; that’s the most important thing. First of all, on lifestyle, but also on taking the medicines prescribed. They don’t precisely follow instructions. For example, people who have mechanical heart valves need anticoagulant treatment. They don’t understand that after a year, they are supposed to go for regular check-ups to adjust the dosage. I’m optimistic that people are trusting their doctors more, because they enjoy reading about medical topics in the press and they’re starting to understand that following advice is important.

Maria Lengyel
Echo Cardiologist
Budapest, Hungary