Heart specialists and cardiologists from Saudi Arabia and abroad will meet here for three days, from Feb. 25-27, to address pressing issues facing cardiovascular disease, such as congenital heart failure and the management of heart patients in the fields of nursing care and nuclear cardiology. The Saudi Al-Babtain Cardiac Center (SBCC), the leading heart center in the Eastern Province, will convene the seventh edition of the International Cardiac Congress to discuss how to reverse the inroads of heart disease in the Kingdom. Heart disease is now the country's third most common cause of hospital-based mortality, after accidents and senility. Saudi Arabian deaths due to heart disease is increasing, according to the World Health Organization. The world health body had reported that of the average 413 deaths per 100,000 in the Kingdom, 144 (35 percent) were due to cardiovascular disease. Dr. Hamed Al-Omran, General Director of SBCC and Congress President, said this year's congress will be a truly international and interesting meeting. “The meetings and discussions will focus more on quality healthcare and management, therefore we anticipate a rich and educational experience at the conclusion of the conference,” he said. Medical professionals in the field of cardiology—specialists, nurses, technologists—from all over the Kingdom will be attending the congress to share their expertise and ideas, Al-Omran said. “We are delighted to invite all healthcare givers: physicians, nurses, technologists and all professionals to this event and share their views,” he said. The congress is being held under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz, Emir of the Eastern Region. __
