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The society says prevention, early diagnosis, CPR training and universal access to modern cardiology knowledge can save lives.<\/p>\n
Medical science has made significant advances, but the next crucial step is to ensure that this knowledge reaches every person who needs it.<\/p>\n
The Hellenic Cardiological Society is calling for cooperation between the government, the scientific community, specialised centres, patient associations and civil society to turn modern medical knowledge into an organised chain of prevention and immediate response.<\/p>\n
The first minutes are critical<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n When cardiac arrest occurs, the first few minutes can prove decisive. Immediate CPR by a trained bystander can play a crucial role in determining the outcome.<\/p>\n According to the Hellenic Cardiological Society, cardiac arrests occur every day in both major urban centres and remote and tourist destinations. The chances of having a doctor beside a patient during those critical first minutes remain limited.<\/p>\n A trained member of the public can therefore become the crucial link that keeps a patient alive until specialised medical assistance arrives.<\/p>\n For this reason, the society has made training as many citizens as possible in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) a clear priority.<\/p>\n For the past 20 years, the Hellenic Cardiological Society, in cooperation with the European Resuscitation Council, has trained and certified healthcare professionals and members of the public in CPR.<\/p>\n The society stresses that CPR knowledge cannot remain limited to healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n Greece has already introduced preventive measures<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The Hellenic Cardiological Society points to several steps that the government has already taken.<\/p>\n These include mandatory CPR training for sports coaches under Law 4809\/2021, CPR training for employees of companies with more than 50 workers under Law 5239\/2025, and mandatory pre-competition electrocardiogram screening and the Athlete Card, introduced in 2017.<\/p>\n The society says authorities must strengthen these prevention and response measures further and make CPR training part of everyday social culture.<\/p>\n Six pillars for a national strategy<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The proposed national strategy would rest on six interconnected pillars:<\/p>\n 1. Prevention at every age<\/span><\/p>\n Strengthen primary cardiac care and preventive screening, including pre-participation screening where appropriate.<\/p>\n 2. CPR training<\/span><\/p>\n Provide systematic CPR training for members of the public and teach them how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at an early stage.<\/p>\n 3. Early identification of high-risk groups<\/span><\/p>\n Give particular attention to families with a history of sudden cardiac death or inherited heart disease, as well as patients with coronary artery disease, myocarditis and other conditions that require specialised assessment.<\/p>\n 4. Use of modern medical science<\/span><\/p>\n Make better use of family medical histories and, where medically indicated, provide access to genetic testing and counselling in cooperation with specialised centres.<\/p>\n 5. Integration of healthcare services<\/span><\/p>\n Strengthen cooperation between primary cardiac care and specialised tertiary centres while providing continuous training for healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n 6. Partnership with society<\/span><\/p>\n Establish ongoing coordination between the Hellenic Cardiological Society, patient associations, families, sporting and educational organisations, and other social and institutional bodies.<\/p>\n Call for immediate action<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The Hellenic Cardiological Society is calling on the government and all relevant organisations to begin an immediate and meaningful dialogue on creating a National Strategy for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death.<\/p>\n The strategy should make maximum use of the data and capabilities offered by modern medical science.<\/p>\n The society stresses that no single organisation can tackle the problem alone. Greece needs an organised chain of prevention and care that begins with public awareness and education, continues through primary prevention and extends to specialised centres and modern diagnostic and treatment options.<\/p>\n Its central message is clear: when cardiac arrest occurs, the first minutes can save a life.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n