One of the most important current challenges is to pressure the health ministry to initiate and implement policies toward prevention of cardiovascular diseases, in order to better educate the population in this area. Another issue is to encourage continuing training of cardiologists and residents. The HCS estimates that it plays an important role in the decision making on the political agenda in Greece.
The European Heart Health Charter has been adopted in Greece and there is also involvement in the initiative on women and CVD.The HCS organises activities and events, throughout the year, all over Greece, having as a basic element the high scientific and interpersonal level of science.
History and structure
The HCS was established in Athens on 7 September 1948, was registered with the Athens Civil Courts in 1950 and has been closely related to the history of Cardiology in Greece. The HCS is a scientific, non-profit association that started out with 28 members evolving to a membership of about 2500 cardiologists at present.
There are 20 Working Groups covering all aspects of cardiology. and geographically the country is divided into seven regional sections in order to receive more feedback of information on the status of cardiology from all over the country. The sections meet 4-5 times each year in order to discuss the current situation, updates, developments and future plans. Cooperation between the sectors and the Working Groups has increased in recent years.
High level of involvement with the ESC
The HCS is closely related to the European Society of Cardiology and feel that the ESC acts as a guideline for the HCS. While adopting several of the ideas and activities of the ESC, however these are actively adjusted to the Greek reality and unique conditions of the Greek cardiologists. The HCS always welcome cooperation with the ESC and communication channels between these two organisations are always wide open from the higher levels of authority i.e. the Board of Directors to the Working Groups, Fellows etc.
It is strongly believed in the HCS that only through close interrelationships between the ESC and the HCS as well as among other National Societies, the level and professionalism of Cardiology in Greece as well as in Europe will reach its full potential. When new members join the HCS they are automatically made aware that they are also members of the ESC and of the benefits and advantages that the membership entails.
The high involvement of the HCS in the ESC is also reflected in the high attendance rate at the ESC Congress and the Associations and Working Group congresses and meetings.
Furthermore the HCS is a member of the World Heart Federation and a close relationship has been developed here as well. During the past two years, the HCS has organised joint scientific meetings with the Cyprus Society and the Turkish Society.
Each year the Annual Pan-Hellenic Congress is held at the end of October / beginning of November and Annual Seminars of the Working Groups take place mid February.
Publications
The Hellenic Journal of Cardiology is published every other month in both Greek and English. It is indexed in Medline and received its first impact factor in 2009. In addition, a Newsletter of the HCS is published every 3 months.
Both publications are mailed to all its members and the HJC is also available online both from a dedicated website and the HCS website.
More information is available on http://www.hcs.gr/ - in both English and Greek