Heart disease on the rise (Barbados)

The nature of heart disease in Barbados has changed and added to that, the number of cases being diagnosed has risen and is continuing to rise. According to cardiologist and Vice-President of the Caribbean Cardiac Society, Dr. Raymond Massay, we have an 'epidemic of heart disease' in this island and while heart disease in Barbados was traditionally as a result of bacterial infection, it is now more like the cases being diagnosed in the developed world. His comments came yesterday morning at the Hilton Hotel where he was briefing the media on the upcoming Caribbean Cardiology Conference, which is to be held from July 28 to 31 under the theme 'Meeting Emerging Challenges to Cardiovascular Care in the Caribbean'.