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The Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally, with nearly half of deaths in Armenia caused by CVDs, Armenia's chief cardiologist Hamlet Hayrapetyan told a news conference on Friday.

The doctor highlighted the state-sponsored preventive programs implemented in recent years, aimed at reducing the dynamics of cardiovascular diseases among the population.

“However, in my opinion, these measures are not still enough. In addition to this, the level of self-consciousness of citizens remains low: people pay less attention to cardiovascular diseases and do not always apply to a doctor when facing such a problem,” he said, stressing the role of polyclinics in diagnosing and treating the disease.

The chief cardiologist reminded that Armenia implements a free heart stent placement program for the third year already, with some 1500 people undergoing standing annually in the scope of the program.

The doctor noted that hospital mortality rates in Armenia are comparable to the ones of the European countries, citing the failure of taking necessary medication during the post-hospital care as the reason behind it. 

“It is noteworthy that 5000-10000 new cases of myocardial infarction are recorded in Armenia annually. The incidence of the disease is 3-5 times less among women, however it takes more aggressive forms, especially after menopause,” the doctor added.

Mr. Hayrapetyan named heredity, smoking, passive lifestyle, hypertension and use of drugs as risk factors for CVDs.