Cardiologists urge stronger action to prevent heart disease

The Austrian Society of Cardiology is calling for stronger measures to improve heart health, ORF reported on World Heart Day. Its president, Daniel Scherr of Med Uni Graz, said cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and that prevention and regular check-ups could prevent many cases.

Someone in Austria dies from the consequences of heart disease every 17 minutes, while 40,000 people in Styria live with heart failure, Scherr said. He described the figures as alarming and called for action.

Austria’s health system is well equipped to treat heart attacks, Scherr said, but the next priority should be preventing them. He called for more precise preventive check-ups that assess heart-related measures.

Scherr pointed to a British campaign called “Know Your Numbers”, which encourages people to learn their blood pressure and cholesterol levels so they can better assess their risk and understand what they can do for their health. He said 30 minutes of exercise a day and a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Scherr also expressed hope that the European Commission’s plans would lead to every country establishing a cardiovascular and metabolic health plan by next year. He said more attention should be paid to women’s heart health, as cardiovascular disease is also the leading cause of death among women. He called for greater emphasis on prevention and public awareness.