Advanced techniques in the field of cardiovascular surgery and ways to prevent heart diseases were among the topics discussed at a conference here recently.

The two-day event, attended by national and international experts in cardiac care, included several workshops and discussions on interventional radiology in the Kingdom and around the world.

The experts also focused on health awareness, new methods of treatment, surgical procedures and radiology.

Dr. Mahmoud Salah, head of the vascular surgery department at the Saudi German Hospital-Jeddah, said that it was important to discuss the latest ways and techniques to give better services to patients suffering from heart diseases. He said top cardiologists from the Kingdom and the Middle East exchanged knowledge on the latest scientific discoveries in the field of cardiac surgery and catheter intervention for the treatment of arteriosclerosis.

The Ministry of Health has warned that there is a rise in incidence of heart diseases in the country and urged the citizens to fight the scourge with proper diet and regular exercise.

According to a report released by the ministry’s information center, cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, claim 17.3 million lives every year. This number is likely to reach to 23 million in 2030 if there effective steps are not taken.

Medical reports of 2008 to 2010 had revealed that there was a slight improvement in the number of deaths from the disease.