Skopje, 26 September 2025 (MIA) — Leading regional cardiologists have convened in Skopje for a two-day conference to discuss how to prevent, detect and treat heart problems that can cause sudden death in young people.

According to organizers, Health Minister Azir Aliu will open the conference.

This is the second time heart doctors from the Balkans have gathered to discuss the issue of sudden cardiac arrest, an unexpected death that happens within an hour of the onset of cardiac symptoms.

The first International Meeting on Sudden Cardiac Death in the Balkan Area was held in Trieste, Italy, in 2024. 

Organizers said some 180 participants were expected at the second International Meeting on Sudden Cardiac Death in the Balkan Area. They include forensic physicians, sports medicine and exercise specialists, molecular biologists and IT experts from Italy, England, Turkiye and Switzerland.

"We expect them to adopt a unified protocol for all countries that will verify cases of sudden cardiac death," organizers said.

According to organizers, the new protocol will help doctors diagnose patients as well as advise relatives of people who have died from sudden cardiac arrest to be alert to symptoms in themselves or genetic risk factors.

The experts are also expected to establish a digital database of medical records and post-mortem findings.

In addition, the papers presented at the conference will also "elevate the Republic of North Macedonia's academic standing," organizers said.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen both to people who have congenital heart defects and to those who have no known heart disease. mr/