Contact: Nicole Napoli, nnapoli@acc.org, 202-375-6523

RIYADH (Apr 21, 2017) -

Physicians and hospital systems in Saudi Arabia now have access to an innovative program that leverages the latest science and technology to provide education, resources and practical tools needed to prevent cardiovascular diseases in individuals at risk throughout the country.

Today, the American College of Cardiology (ACC), working with the Saudi Heart Association (SHA), is launching a series of forums for physicians on cardiovascular disease prevention. Today's forum focuses on common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and proven strategies to help patients mitigate risk. Topics include risk assessment techniques and treatment guidelines. On stage, speakers from the United States will join local Saudi speakers for lecture style presentations and audience discussion. The audience will include cardiologists and general practitioners viewing not only in-person at the Riyadh broadcast venue, but also virtually from sites in Jeddah and Dammam.

"As René Dubos famously stated, we need to 'think globally, act locally.' To be effective in changing the culture around treating and preventing heart disease, you have to reach clinicians where they live and practice and beyond a single intervention," said Daniel José Piñeiro, MD, FACC, Chair, American College of Cardiology Assembly of International Governors. "We are committed to working with our colleagues in Saudi Arabia to implement this program in a way that achieves maximum impact and furthers the College's mission to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve patient care on a global scale."

"Treatment of cardiovascular disease will always be a top concern, but at the Saudi Heart Association we are shifting our focus more and more toward prevention. We are pleased to partner with the ACC to highlight and promote this crucial approach to patient care among physicians throughout Saudi," concluded Prof. Hussam Al Faleh, President of Saudi Heart Association.

The program is part of a larger ACC cardiovascular disease prevention program designed to reach thousands of doctors not only in Saudi Arabia, but also in Egypt, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Argentina, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and China. Program curricula are customized to local healthcare challenges and needs through extensive consultation with ACC's network of international chapters, as well as surveys and outreach among local healthcare professionals. Subsequent forums in this series will explore the implications of specific risk factors and health conditions on cardiovascular disease prevention. The program, supported by Pfizer, aligns with a broader effort in Saudi Arabia, known as Vision 2030, to improve healthcare access, quality, and patient outcomes.

"Cardiovascular disease is a major burden in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that this collaborative effort between Pfizer, the Saudi Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology to address primary prevention is an important step to improve the health and well-being of individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease in Saudi," said Mohamed Fathy, MD, Medical Director of Pfizer Saudi Limited.

"The global partnership between Pfizer and the ACC to address cardiovascular educational needs underscores our commitment to decrease the global burden of this disease," said Salomon Azoulay, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Essential Health. "We are excited to bring our program to Saudi Arabia as part of our efforts to improve cardiovascular patient outcomes globally."

---- END ----

Supporting Notes:

Al Eisa, Meshari, Public Affairs and Communication Specialist, Pfizer: Meshari.AlEisa@pfizer.com 00966599811026

About The American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more, visit acc.org.

About the Saudi Heart Association

The Saudi Heart Association (SHA) strives to be the preeminent authority on all aspects of cardiovascular care, science, and practice in the Middle East region. The SHA provides education, promotes research, and facilitates the exchange of scientific and clinical experience in cardiology between the Middle East and other regions of the globe. SHA sets the standards for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease for local and regional medical practitioners.

About Pfizer

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. In Saudi Arabia, Pfizer has long been at the forefront to support stakeholders, healthcare professionals and patients to develop the healthcare landscape.

###

< Back to Listings